Dominique Wilkins

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Dominique Wilkins
Position Small forward
Nickname The Human Highlight Film
Height 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Weight 224 lb (102 kg)
Nationality Flag of United States United States
Born January 12, 1960
Paris, France
College Georgia
Draft 1st Round, 3rd Pick, 1982
Utah Jazz
Pro career 1982 – 1999
Former teams Atlanta Hawks (1982-1994)
Los Angeles Clippers (1994)
Boston Celtics (1994-1995)
Panathinaikos (1995-1996)
San Antonio Spurs (1996-1997)
Fortitudo Bologna (1997-1998)
Orlando Magic (1999)
Hall of Fame Inducted 2006

Jacques Dominique Wilkins (born January 12, 1960 in Paris, France) is an American former professional basketball player in the NBA and Basketball Hall of Famer. "'Nique" (also nicknamed The Human Highlight Film) is one of the most prolific scorers and best dunkers in NBA history.

Contents

[edit] Early life and college

Wilkins was born in Paris, due to his father being stationed there while in the Air Force. Wilkins left the University of Georgia after his junior year, where he was drafted by the Utah Jazz in the 1982 NBA Draft.

[edit] NBA career

Reluctant to play with the Jazz, he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks several months after the draft. Prior to his last three seasons (with the Celtics, Spurs and Magic) Wilkins never averaged fewer than 20 points per game and captured a scoring title in 1985-86 with an average of 30.3 points per game.

Wilkins, in addition to his eleven seasons with the Hawks, had short stints with the Los Angeles Clippers, the Boston Celtics, Panathinaikos Athens (a professional team in Greece, with whom he won his first title, the European Clubs' Championship and the Greek Cup), Fortitudo Bologna (a professional team in Italy), the San Antonio Spurs, and the Orlando Magic before he retired in 1999.

Wilkins was instrumental in the Hawks' prominence in the 1980s, when the club recorded 50-win seasons four times during the decade. As Wilkins entered his 30s, and the Hawks started to require an all-around contribution from their star, Wilkins evolved into an all-around player, averaging 9.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in the 1990-91 season.

Wilkins, a nine-time NBA All-Star and the winner of two NBA Slam Dunk Contests, registered 26,668 points (one of only 12 players to do so) and 7,169 rebounds in his NBA career.

Wilkins' nickname was the "The Human Highlight Film" for his Erving-esque athleticism, and highlight reel dunks which helped him to win two NBA Slam Dunk Contest titles. His trademark dunk was a powerful one or two handed windmill. His duels in the contest with the young Michael Jordan are widely considered to have been the best slam dunk contests ever.

His #21 jersey was retired by the Hawks on January 13, 2001. He is one of three players to have had their jerseys retired by the Hawks.

[edit] Notes

[edit] Lifetime stats

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  • Games: 1,074
  • PTS: 26,668
  • PPG: 24.8
  • RPG: 6.7
  • APG: 2.5
  • FG% .461
  • FT% .811

[edit] Awards and achievements

  • 1985-86 NBA Scoring Champion (30.3)
  • NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Champion: 1985, 1990.
  • NBA All-Rookie Team: 1983.
  • All-NBA First Team: 1986.
  • All-NBA Second Team: 1987, 1988, 1991, 1993.
  • All-NBA Third Team: 1989, 1994.
  • Nine-time NBA All-Star: 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994.
  • Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2006).
  • European Champion: 1996 (FIBA Europe European Clubs Championship).
  • Greek National Cup winner

[edit] External links

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