Listed at 6-foot-11, 251 pounds, Darryl Dawkins was a thunderous force in the post — so much so that his nickname was ‘Chocolate Thunder.’ Dawkins became the first player in NBA history to get drafted out of high school, going straight from Evans High School in Orlando to the pros.
While Dawkins with the fifth pick in a worthy 1975 NBA Draft class, it’s fair to dub him a steal for both his on-court impact and his legacy. Few players were more memorable at the time than Dawkins, who threw down monstrous dunks and blocked shots at an admirable rate.
He spent seven formative seasons in Philadelphia, averaging 11.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 23.1 minutes per game. He became an important role player on multiple competitive teams, appearing in the 1979 and 1982 NBA Finals.
At the center position, Dawkins was both imposing and efficient, using his strong frame to muscle in points at the rim. He shot over 60 percent twice during his Philadelphia tenure, helping to anchor the offense around star forces on the perimeter.
After 1982, Dawkins was shipped to the then-New Jersey Nets in a series of moves that resulted in Moses Malone joining the Sixers. He wasn’t dealt directly for Malone, but his impact over seven seasons was felt nonetheless. It was a necessary evil to add someone as impactful as Moses, an eventual NBA MVP.