Dominique Wilkins
(Born 1960)
Hall of Fame Induction: 2006
Card Shown:
2014-15 Panini Flawless
Hall of Fame
Position: SF
Height: 6’8″
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Dominique Wilkins, aka the “Human Highlight Film,” was a top scorer, a high-flyer, and a sensational dunker who electrified crowds with his play during his professional basketball career. Wilkins’ Atlanta Hawks made the playoffs in eight of the twelve years that he led the team. In ten years of NBA playoff competition, Dominique averaged 25.4 points per game. He won two dunk contests and had a legendary battle with Michael Jordan in another. Drafted by the Utah Jazz, Wilkins played for the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Orlando Magic, and San Antonio Spurs (as well as two teams in Europe) during his career.
Awards and Honors
- In 1985-86, Dominique led the NBA in scoring with an average of 30.3 points per game. Always a top scorer, Wilkins had eleven consecutive seasons scoring over 20 points per game from 1983-84 through 1993-94.
- Dominique was honored as an NBA All-Star nine times during his career.
- Wilkins was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1982-83. He was also selected All-NBA First Team once, All-NBA Second Team four times, and All-NBA Third Team twice during his career.
- Twice before his professional basketball career ended, Dominique took a year off from the NBA and played in Europe. In 1995-96 he led Panathinaikos Athens of the Greek League to the European Men’s championship. Wilkins averaged 20.9 points and 7.0 rebounds and was named MVP of the European Final Four. In 1997-98 he returned to Europe to play for Italy’s Teamsystem.
- In addition to his induction into the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Dominique has been honored by his enshrinement in the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, and the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame.
Points of Interest
- Dominique comes from a very talented basketball family. His brother, Gerald Wilkins, played in the NBA for thirteen seasons. Gerald’s son Damien Wilkins, Dominique’s nephew, also played in the NBA.
- Wilkins was selected by the Utah Jazz with the third overall pick in the 1982 NBA Draft, behind James Worthy and Terry Cummings.
- Known as a high-flyer, Dominique was crowned the NBA Slam Dunk Champion twice, in 1985 and 1990. In 1988, Wilkins was involved in an epic battle with Michael Jordan in the Slam Dunk competition. Wilkens still believes that he defeated Michael that day, although the judges ruled differently.
- Wilkins finished his fifteen-year NBA career with averages of 24.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.
- In January 2001, Dominique became only the third Atlanta Hawks player to have his number retired, joining Bob Pettit and Lou Hudson.
- At the age of 40, Wilkens was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. He vowed to not let the disease get the best of him. To combat diabetes, Dominique cut sugar out of his diet, began to exercise more, and took his prescribed medication. He lost 37 pounds in two and a half months and set himself up to continue in a healthy lifestyle. Dominique is an active member in the diabetes community, helping others to understand and live with the disease.
- Wilkins also supports a number of other worthy causes. He has worked with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Special Olympics, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and the American Lung Foundation.
Statistics
Dominique Wilkins Statistics
provided by Basketball-Reference.com