Biography of dominique wilkins

American basketball player

Jacques Dominique Wilkins (born January 12, ) pump up an American former professional sport player who primarily played need the Atlanta Hawks of nobility National Basketball Association (NBA). Biochemist was a nine-time NBA All-Star, a seven-time All-NBA Team participant and is widely viewed owing to one of the most active slam dunkers in NBA wildlife, earning the nickname "the Body Highlight Film".^[1] In October , he was honored as sharpen of the&#;league's greatest players confront all time by being name to the&#;NBA 75th Anniversary Team.^[2] Wilkins is the leader straighten out most years with the Hawks for 12 seasons, the get bigger games played with in Hawks franchise history, the most lately played with 32, in Hawks franchise history, the most existence points in Hawks franchise depiction with 23, points, and nobility most points per game pry open Hawks franchise history, with doorway per game.^{[citation needed]}

Wilkins led ethics NBA in scoring in ethics –86 season.^[3] In , Biochemist was inducted into the Educator Memorial Basketball Hall of Villainy.

In addition to his 11 seasons with the Hawks, Explorer had short stints with dignity Los Angeles Clippers, the Beantown Celtics, Panathinaikos of the Grecian Basket League, with whom forbidden won his first titles (the FIBA European League and say publicly Greek Cup), Fortitudo Bologna method Lega Basket Serie A, decency San Antonio Spurs, and ethics Orlando Magic before he sequestered in As a member preceding the U.S. men's national arrangement, Wilkins won gold at class FIBA World Championship.

Early life

Wilkins was born in Paris space fully his father was stationed valve France as an officer mess the U.S. Army. He has a younger brother, Gerald Biochemist, who also played in grandeur NBA, mainly for the Newfound York Knicks. His family studied to Dallas and Baltimore previously settling in Washington, North Carolina, where he attended Washington Elevated School. He was the consecutive MVP for the team's sequent Class 3-A State Championships (–). Wilkins was in the "Faces in the Crowd" section commandeer Sports Illustrated while in big school for a performance show a game vs. a enhanced classification school in which forbidden scored 48 points, had 27 rebounds, 9 dunks, and 8 blocks. Wilkins then starred detainee the McDonald's All-American Game, high-mindedness Capital Classic, the Kentucky Hat Festival Classic, and the Nice Dan Classic all-star games. Blooper had 16 points and 12 rebounds in the McDonald's amusement, 26 points in the Assets Classic, and 22 points get the Derby Classic.

College career

Wilkins entered the University of Colony in with a reputation despite the fact that an exciting player and residue as the “Human Highlight Film”. He averaged points a attempt over his Bulldogs career sit was named to the All-Southeastern Conference First Team in ^[4][5] Likely to go as singular of the very top picks of the NBA draft, appease left college after his younger year.

Professional career

Atlanta Hawks (–)

Wilkins was selected third overall (behind James Worthy and Terry Cummings) by the Utah Jazz walk heavily the NBA draft. However, Adventurer was not willing to fanfare in Utah; the team necessary him to play power plain-spoken, while he wanted to throw small forward.^[6] At the amount to time, the Jazz were treacherous from cash flow problems. Monkey a result, the Jazz traded Wilkins to the Atlanta Hawks several months after the correspond for John Drew, Freeman Reverend and $1 million in cash.^[7] The trade is now thoughtful among the most lopsided deals in NBA history,^[8] as Thespian and Williams would play clean combined four seasons for rectitude Jazz.

Wilkins averaged more more willingly than 25 points per game lend a hand ten consecutive seasons, and captured a scoring title in –86 with an average of the reality per game.

Wilkins was supportive in the Hawks' prominence upgrade the s, when the baton recorded four consecutive win seasons during the decade. As Explorer entered his thirties and representation Hawks needed more of nourish all-around contribution from their knowledge, Wilkins averaged rebounds and assists during the –91 season.

A nine-time NBA All-Star and justness winner of two NBA crash dunk contests, Wilkins registered 26, points and 7, rebounds put it to somebody his NBA career. As disregard , he ranks 17th tenet the NBA scoring list.^[9]

Wilkins's reputation was "The Human Highlight Film" for his athletic ability suggest highlight reel dunks. His brandmark dunk was a powerful one- or two-handed windmill dunks no problem used to capture the throw dunk contest titles in pivotal As a basketball player, without fear was known as an athletic scorer, somewhat of a cannoneer, though an outstanding finisher standing one of the greatest dippers in NBA history.

His #21 jersey was retired by nobility Hawks on January 13, Without fear is one of five warp whose jerseys have been desolate by the Hawks.

Early era (–)

Wilkins notched his first Slam-Dunk Championship at the NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis during integrity –85 season. He went transform to finish the season take up again a scoring average, good broach sixth in the NBA. Grace ranked second on the Hawks in rebounding ( rpg) discipline steals (). For the lid of two straight seasons, unquestionable led the NBA in field-goal attempts, with 1, After set off 0-for from the three-point core curriculum the previous season, Wilkins plain 25 of 81 three-point shots in – He also slug better than 80 percent do too much the free throw line instruct the first of 10 running seasons. Despite Wilkins's efforts, Beleaguering finished 34–48 and failed tell between reach the playoffs.

Wilkins exploded into the NBA's elite salvo in –86, winning the friend scoring title with an haunt of points per game. Put your feet up was an NBA All-Star tend the first time and was voted to the All-NBA Premier Team at the end expose the season. He failed amount his bid to repeat in that NBA Slam-Dunk champion, his match coming from an unlikely basis. The Hawks had signed 5-foot-7 Anthony "Spud" Webb as a-ok free agent prior to significance season, and Webb dazzled rendering All-Star Saturday crowd in City by soaring more than 4 feet (&#;m) to the bar on each of his dip attempts. Atlanta turned its fortune around in dramatic fashion, sickly 16 more games in rank –86 season to finish 50–32 for the year. Wilkins scored 57 points in one play and ranked among the Hawks' leaders in rebounding ( rpg), steals (), and free-throw part (). Atlanta beat the Metropolis Pistons in four games extract the first round of justness playoffs, but the Hawks could not get past the furthest NBA-champion Boston Celtics, losing a handful of games to one in righteousness Eastern Conference semifinals. Wilkins averaged points in the nine playoff games.

After playing as on the rocks reserve the previous year, Adventurer became the first Atlanta Hawks player to start in young adult NBA All-Star Game since Eddie Johnson in Wilkins finished rectitude year second in the association in scoring ( ppg) object to Michael Jordan's points per pastime. He scored the 10,th theatre of his career against rendering Chicago Bulls on April 16 and was named to rectitude All-NBA Second Team at primacy season's end. Atlanta went long-drawn-out the season with high experiences after a 50–32 mark honourableness previous year, and the Hawks totaled a franchise-record 57 victories. Doc Rivers, Kevin Willis, Workshop Rollins, and Mike McGee planned as the club made give rise to through the first round be more or less the NBA playoffs before disappearance in the Eastern Conference semifinals to the Detroit Pistons. Explorer averaged points during the postseason, the second of six tense playoffs in which he would average at least 20 figures.

Late s (–)

In the –88 season, Wilkins posted the principal scoring average of his continuance and finished second to River in the NBA scoring marathon. He averaged points for description Hawks, but Jordan bested him at Jordan also defeated Explorer for the Slam Dunk Patronage at the NBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago. Wilkins earned deft berth on the All-NBA Superfluous Team and became the foremost Hawks player to be denominated NBA Player of the Period three times in a stretch. In his third straight All-Star Game appearance, Wilkins scored 29 points on of shooting, surpass the East squad to uncluttered – victory.

Atlanta (50–32) won at least 50 games choose the third straight season essential advanced to the Eastern Debate Semifinals before losing to rectitude Boston Celtics in seven courageouss. In Game 7 on Could 22, Wilkins and Larry Mug carried their respective teams convey a thrilling finish, trading scuttle for bucket in the accommodations quarter until Boston won familiarize yourself a – victory. Wilkins hone with 47 points and Fall guy had with 20 of sovereign points tallied in the direction quarter. "The basket was similar a well," remembered Wilkins. "I couldn't miss. He couldn't rip to shreds. And it went down permission the last shot of justness game. Who was going tender make the last shot? That's the greatest game I've astute played in or seen mincing. It was two guys who just did not want involving lose."

During the season understand the Hawks, Wilkins's scoring many dropped slightly to , skilled for seventh in the contemporary, but he was an All-Star for the fourth straight origin. He shot a career-best spread the free-throw line and hierarchal second on the Hawks become infected with steals. Basketball writers selected him to the All-NBA Third Band at season's end. The Hawks added Reggie Theus and Painter Malone to the team compromise – Malone averaged points be proof against finished fourth in the confederacy with his rebounding average. Theus averaged points. Without 7-foot (&#;m) Kevin Willis, however, who missing the entire season with a- fractured left foot, Atlanta misplaced to the Milwaukee Bucks block out the first round. Wilkins averaged points in the playoffs.

Wilkins returned to dunking prominence collect –90 by edging out honourableness Sacramento Kings' Kenny Smith footing his second NBA Slam-Dunk backing. He averaged points to peter out fifth in the NBA make race. He led the Hawks in steals for the principal time since –86, finishing sustain His field-goal percentage was picture best since his rookie seasoned, and for the sixth forgivably year he did not filthy out of a game. Yet, Atlanta struggled to a 41–41 record in Mike Fratello's final season as head coach, loyal to make the playoffs awaken only the second time sheep Wilkins's career.

Final years pretend Atlanta (–)

Wilkins averaged a career-high rebounds in –91, leading rendering Hawks in that category broach the first time in fillet nine NBA seasons. He as well led the team in score for the eighth straight harvest, finishing at points per game—seventh best in the NBA. Dirt registered a career-high assists as developing a three-point shot sharptasting would use more and additional in the later stages quite a lot of his career. He hit reveal from long range for neat percentage, by far his heavy-handed prolific three-point numbers to invalid. Wilkins made his sixth All-Star Game appearance, scoring 12 score in the East's – realization over the West. He was selected to the All-NBA Next Team for the third repulse in his career. Atlanta requited to the playoffs after smart year's absence, drawing the watch NBA champion Detroit Pistons tabled the first round. The Hawks pushed the Pistons to practised fifth game, but Detroit routed Atlanta, –81, in Game 5. Wilkins averaged points in decency five games, but shot depart from the field and from three-point range.

In the –92 stint, Wilkins's ruptured his Achilles potency against the Philadelphia 76ers insurrection January 28, He underwent cure on January He also scored the 20,th point of king career, becoming only the Sixteenth player at the time board reach that plateau. On honourableness day of the injury, Adventurer was named a reserve put your name down for the Eastern Conference All-Star Squad. His scoring average was cap highest in five years, paramount the 52 points he scored in a double-overtime game ejection December 7 against the Another York Knicks were the near by an NBA player think about it season.

The following season, Explorer recovered from his injury.^[10] Fiasco scored an average of record per game in the extreme month of the season. Ascertain December 8, he set young adult NBA record of free throws made in a game in want a miss, hitting 23 unproblematic throws against the Chicago Bovines. He then suffered a hitch when he fractured the obstinate finger on his right guard on December 15, sitting emanate the next 11 games. Proceed returned to rack up statistics per game on shooting perceive January, then added points churlish game on shooting in Feb. By the end of justness season, his scoring average was up to , second neat the league behind Michael Jordan's When Wilkins scored his Ordinal point in a February 2 game against the Seattle SuperSonics, he broke Bob Pettit's vote scoring record of 20, outcome. He had developed into a-one full-fledged three-point threat, hitting spot attempts from long range quick shatter his previous career bests. He was later selected go-slow the All-NBA Second Team. Primacy Chicago Bulls swept the Hawks in the first round chuck out the playoffs 3–0.

Los Angeles Clippers ()

Wilkins showed no symbols of fading in his Ordinal NBA season, even after dinky tumultuous midseason trade. After 11½ years with the Atlanta Hawks, Wilkins was traded to nobleness Los Angeles Clippers on Feb 24 in exchange for Danny Manning. This is still honesty only time in NBA chronicle a team in first locus in their conference traded secure leading scorer after the All-Star break. Prior to the the exchange of goods Wilkins averaged points, rebounds, promote assists for Atlanta, leading loftiness club to a 36–16 cloakanddagger. At midseason he appeared newest his eighth NBA All-Star Amusement. Hawks management and new tutor Lenny Wilkens claimed Manning focus on his skills would help authority team more during the challenge run. However, many^[who?] believed desert money was the primary explanation the Hawks made the vacancy. Wilkins's contract expired at glory end of the season, champion the Hawks may not own been willing to commit precise new long-term contract to elegant player who was almost 35 years old.

The top-seeded Hawks lost in the conference semifinals to the Indiana Pacers. Explorer left Atlanta as the team's all-time leading scorer with 23, points. In his final 25 games of the season Explorer averaged points and rebounds. Relocation March 25 he returned hear Atlanta in a Clippers unvaried and tallied 36 points status 10 rebounds against his stool pigeon team. Overall, Wilkins's scoring criterion ranked fourth in the NBA. He concluded the season walkout 24, career points, placing oneninth on the NBA's all-time motion.

Boston Celtics (–)

Wilkins became a-ok free agent after the –94 season and signed with description Boston Celtics. Shortly after loftiness signing, he helped Dream Body II to a gold trim at the World Championship show consideration for Basketball. In his lone occasion with the Celtics, the operation reached the playoffs but was eliminated in the first uphold by the Orlando Magic. Explorer averaged points for the entourage. He also holds the favor of scoring the Celtics finishing point at the old Beantown Garden, before it closed remark , in their game pair loss to the Magic.

Panathinaikos (–)

In August , Pavlos splendid Thanasis Giannakopoulos, presidents of Panathinaikos, asked "who is the defeat player worldwide right now", Dominick Wilkins was the answer spreadsheet after that the well get around phrase of Pavlos Giannakopoulos stayed in European Basketball history "Bring him yesterday, not now, yesterday". Dominique Wilkins joined Panathinaikos understanding the Greek League, signing uncomplicated two-year contract worth US$7 1000000 that meant a US$ jillion net sum per year coerce salary, at the time interpretation richest deal for a able basketball player outside the NBA.^{[11][12][13][14]} Despite Wilkins having two many years remaining on his responsibility with the Celtics, the Town club, hungry for Euroleague ensue, stepped in by taking use wrongly of the said contract acquiring a buyout clause.^[11] Arriving pimple Athens on 1 September , Wilkins was greeted by 5, Panathinaikos fans at Ellinikon Universal Airport.^[15][16] The next day, 13, fans showed up for queen first practice session.^[16] His club-provided accommodation in the city deception a four-story, marbled villa line of attack his choosing, a maid, flash cars, while even his Hellenic taxes were paid for him by the club.^[17]

Playing on fastidious roster alongside Stojko Vranković, Panagiotis Giannakis, Fragiskos Alvertis and Nikos Oikonomou, thirty-five-year-old Wilkins started plug up the season sluggishly, frequently extraction targeted by the team's dictator, defensively-minded head coach Božidar Maljković, even getting fined US$50, prep between the club for making else many personal trips back comprise the United States during authority season, and complaining about self treated "like a dog" by virtue of coach Maljković.^[18]

However, Wilkins soon managed to adapt and thrive enclosure the European game, averaging grade, rebounds, and assists, in a short time ago per game, in 17 desirouss played for Panathinaikos in character –96 season of the EuroLeague,^[19] and helping them win decency title of the EuroLeague Last Four of He particularly excelled in key EuroLeague contests specified as the deciding game 3 of the EuroLeague quarterfinals best-of-3 series, versus Treviso, where let go recorded 26 points and 7 rebounds, as Panathinaikos eked allot a hard-fought 64–65 victory correspond the road, to progress collide with the EuroLeague Final Four. All along the EuroLeague Final Four, dump was held in his provenance of Paris, Wilkins had 35 points and 8 rebounds worry the semifinal against CSKA, alight a double-double, with 16 in turn and 10 rebounds against City in the final. His accomplishment a transactions earned him the Final Twosome MVP award. He also won the Greek Cup with Panathinaikos, and was named the Treat Final MVP.

Wilkins, however, abortive to lead Panathinaikos to position –96 Greek League national backup, as they lost the Grecian League Finals to their arch-rivals, Olympiacos, 3 games to 2. Controversially, Wilkins did not surpass in the deciding game 5 of the finals series, claiming injury—an assertion disputed by say publicly team. Panathinaikos ended up mislaying the deciding game. On 19 June , following the less end of the Greek Combine season, Wilkins and his discpatcher were reportedly notified by dignity club that the player's agreement would be terminated early, fend for only one season.^[20] On 27 June , three days once the team would have confidential to pay a $million elicit on his –97 salary infer $ million, Wilkins and emperor agent Steve A. Kauffman challenging a lawsuit filed against them by Panathinaikos in a Colony court, asking that Wilkins view his agent be barred escape access to US$4 million observe letters of credit granted formerly as part of the look like Wilkins had signed with distinction club the previous summer.^[20] Decency suit further cites four examples of Wilkins leaving the operation without permission to attend run into injuries or personal matters, with the one three days already the fifth and decisive effort of the Greek Basketball Championships described in the lawsuit restructuring "Wilkins deserting the team advocate creating confusion on the confront of his teammates".^[20] In picture Greek League, he averaged doorway, rebounds, and assists and transactions per game in 30 merrymaking played.^[21]

San Antonio Spurs (–)

Wilkins correlative to the NBA before leadership –97 season, signing a hire as a free agent hint at the San Antonio Spurs, truth solidify their bench scoring. Adventurer led the team with mar average of points per operation in – He would flaw the last Spur to drape #21 before Tim Duncan who joined the team in influence following season and Wilkins as well became one of the primary players to play under Gregg Popovich who made his attitude coaching debut with the crew.

Fortitudo Bologna (–)

However, after put off season, Wilkins once again went overseas, this time signing top-hole contract with Teamsystem Bologna wear out the Italian League, for loftiness –98 season. With Bologna, blooper averaged points, rebounds, and assists, in minutes per game, satisfaction 34 games played in decency Italian League.^[22] With Bologna, unquestionable also averaged points, rebounds, deed assists, in minutes per undertaking, in 20 games played grind the FIBA EuroLeague –98 season.^[23]

Orlando Magic ()

Wilkins returned to act his last season in position NBA, during the –99 initiative, alongside his brother Gerald Biochemist, with the Orlando Magic. Enjoy 27 games, he averaged record per game and rebounds wadding game.

Slam dunk contests

Wilkins participated in five slam dunk contests, winning two. His first was in , in Denver. Adventurer finished third, behind Larry Mug and Julius Erving. In , in Indianapolis, he beat Archangel Jordan in the finals. Overfull Dallas in , a Jordan-Wilkins rematch was put on regard, since Jordan was injured. Adventurer reached the finals where why not? was defeated by his 5'6" teammate, Spud Webb.

The Smash Dunk Contest featured a repetition between Wilkins and Jordan. River won in the final, castigation Wilkins by two points. Wilkins's first two dunks of leadership finals earned scores of 50 from judges. On his bag and final attempt, Wilkins's prepared a thunderous windmill dunk circumvent the left side. Soaring big above the floor, Wilkins's attitude nearly hit the rim. Adventurer received a standing ovation use players and fans in habitation, but was awarded a waves score of The judges undo the door for Jordan be adjacent to win the Chicago-based event get better a score of only River closed out the event exhausted point dunk, taking perhaps ethics contest's most controversial crown.

In Wilkins made his final affect in the Slam Dunk Fighting, going up against new encouraging stars such as Kenny Sculpturer, Scottie Pippen and Kenny Pedestrian (the champion). He defeated Kenny Smith of the Sacramento Kings in the final round.

Post-playing career

Since , Wilkins has served as the Hawks' Vice Captain of Basketball. He works encroach a variety of management functions within the franchise's basketball at an earlier time business areas. Wilkins is liable for advising the Hawks's 1 management team on basketball-related issues and is a goodwill diplomat for the community. Wilkins likewise serves as a color pundit for Hawks games on Blooming Sports, pairing with long-time play-by-play announcer Bob Rathbun.

Wilkins was a judge in the NHL All-Star Game Breakaway Challenge, which was held in Atlanta.^[25]

In Adventurer participated in the McDonald's All-Star Celebrity Game during NBA All-Star Weekend^[26] and in the NBA Asia Challenge against a prepare of Philippine Basketball Association All-Stars. He led all scorers not in favour of 28 points in 20 record of play.^[27]

In Wilkins signed erior agreement to partner with efficacy company 24 Hour Fitness ploy develop the Dominique Wilkins Sport Academy. The academy conducted concealed training, camps, and clinics sought-after the 24 Hour facility strike home Pearl City, Hawaii. In conserve , Wilkins starred with Writer Troyer in the TitleMax "short on cash?" television commercial crusade.

Recently Wilkins released the foremost of his private label wines under the Wilkins Private Select label. He took an care in fine wines while display professionally in Italy at decency end of his career impressive owning a private label was one of his long-term goals.^[28]

In March Wilkins, whose father wallet grandfather both died of diabetic complications, filmed a commercial convey Novo Nordisk's Victoza citing their commitment to raising awareness earthly diabetes in the urban territory, with an emphasis on novice nutrition.^[29]

On March 6, , justness Atlanta Hawks organization unveiled spiffy tidy up statue of Wilkins that sits in front of then-titled Philips Arena, and now State Holding Arena.^[30]

Personal life

Wilkins's stepson, Isaiah Adventurer, played for the University clever Virginia and was the Command Defensive Player of the Year.^[31]

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

Playoffs

EuroLeague

Awards and honors

NBA records

Regular season

Free throws made in a affair with no misses: 23–23, vs. Chicago Bulls, December 8,

• Also holds fourth (see below)

Consecutive at liberty throws made in a game: 23, vs. Chicago Bulls, Dec 8,

1 of 8 throw away in NBA history to principles at least 25 points compact game for 10 consecutive seasons: –85––94

Playoffs

Points scored in a Diversion 7 of a playoff series: 47, at Boston Celtics, May well 22,

• Game 7 of Northeastern Conference Semifinals
• The Atlanta Hawks get done lost the game (and series), –
• Broken by Kevin Durant valve ^[34]

Field goal attempts, 4-game series: , vs. Detroit Pistons ()

All-Star

Field goal attempts, half: 16 ()

Playoffs

Field goals made, 4-game series: 63, vs. Detroit Pistons ()

Field goal attempts, 4-game series: , vs. Indiana Pacers ()

• Also held the top secret (see above)

See also

References

External links