Darryl Dawkins was the Sixers’ first round pick in 1975, becoming the first player ever drafted out of high school. He was the first pick in a quietly strong draft class for the Sixers, as they netted Free in the next round.
Spending seven seasons in Philly, Dawkins’ numbers don’t jump off the page. He only averaged 23.1 minutes per game over that span, while his highest scoring average with the team was 14 points. His last season with the team was 1981-82, the year before they won the championship.
He did, however, make the Finals twice during his time with the Sixers.
Dawkins was one of the most memorable Sixers of all-time. From his ‘Chocolate Thunder’ nickname to a pair of broken backboards, Dawkins’ dominant low-post game and spunky personality made him one of the more enjoyable players of his generation.
He called his first backboard-breaking slam the “’The Chocolate Thunder-Flying, Robinzine-Crying, Teeth-Shaking, Glass-Breaking, Rump-Roasting, Bun-Toasting, Wham, Bam, Glass-Breaker I am Jam.” That was just one of many popular nicknames given to his wide array of dunks.
He was supremely efficient as well, shooting 55.5 percent from the field during his time with the Sixers. Dawkins coupled that offensive dominance with an imposing defensive presence, blocking 1.4 shots per game.