NBA legend Darryl Dawkins -- nicknamed "Chocolate Thunder" for his monster dunks -- has died at the age of 58, according to WFMZ. 

Dawkins was the first basketball player to be drafted to the NBA straight outta high school when he was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1975. 

Dawkins played in the NBA until 1989 ... and also spent time playing with the Harlem Globetrotters. 

The guy was a pioneer of the monster dunk -- and threw down with such force that he shattered TWO backboards in 1979. 

Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2015/08/27/darryl-dawkins-dies-nba-dunk-legend-dead-at-58/#ixzz3k2ft3OAM

 

Also coach of Winnipeg Cyclone

Dawkins was a great player. He certainly could make the spectacular dunk. My friend was an all star basketball player at Churchill High in 1974 & went on to play with the Wesman at the U of W. He always used to talk about Dawkins. Sorry to hear of his passing. 

I met him when I was playing basketball in middle school and we all got to go to a Cyclones game.

Sad!

Sad.. Too young. Was a pioneer of the insane dunks we see today and named em all awesomely like east bay funk dunk among others.. Got to meet and then drink with him when he was the coach of the cyclone as my high school and provincial team coach was his assistant..

Sad news..

Just was tweeting 18 hours b4 his death. How did he die. Suddenly I guess. RIP

Passed away from a heart attack. R I P on the planet Love Tron D.D. 

east bay funk dunk

Dawkins did name his dunks but that one came from Isaiah Rider.