A report from WFMZ-TV in Lehigh Valley says that former Sixers legend, “Chocolate Thunder” Darryl Dawkins has passed away. He was 58.

A source confirms that Dawkins died today. Following his professional playing career, Dawkins made his home in the Lehigh Valley.

The 58-year-old made history in 1975, when he became the first player ever drafted directly from high school to the NBA. The Orlando native played 15 seasons in the NBA, spending the majority of his career with the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Nets.

Dawkins was known as much for his dunks as his playing career. In 1979, Dawkins shattered two backboards in separate games Following his retirement from the NBA, Dawkins – nicknamed Chocolate Thunder by Stevie Wonder – coached the American Basketball Association’s Newark Express and the Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs, which played in the Lehigh Valley as part of the now-defunct United States Basketball League. Dawkins most recently was the former head coach of the Lehigh Carbon Community College men’s basketball team.

We’ll have more on this story as it develops. Here are some highlights of Dawkins’ NBA career.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sYJ2ItXiRo

About The Author

Nick Piccone

Nick Piccone has covered Philly sports and events for over 14 years. He founded Bleeding Brotherly Love in April 2011, and renamed it Bleed Philly in 2013. In 2015, he joined Sean Brace in launching Philly Influencer, which quickly became a top Philly sports and culture website. He covered professional wrestling for PhillyVoice from 2015-2021, and co-launched The Straight Shooters podcast in 2015, covering the entire pro wrestling industry. He also produces content for Fox Sports Radio Philadelphia and the Villanova Sports Radio Network. He grew up in South Philadelphia and South Jersey, and is a graduate of Neumann University.
 
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