Darnell Hillman facts for kids

Darnell "Dr. Dunk" Hillman, born on August 29, 1949, is a famous American former professional basketball player. He was known for his amazing dunks and played for several teams in the ABA and NBA.

Early Life and College Basketball

Darnell Hillman went to Hiram W. Johnson High School. After high school, he played college basketball for the San Jose State Spartans. He was a tall player, standing 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 meters) as a forward.

College Achievements

In 1969, Darnell was named to the first-team All-WCAC. He set a school record for rebounding that season. He grabbed 327 rebounds, which was an average of 14.2 rebounds per game. He also scored an average of 15.3 points per game.

Beyond Basketball

While at SJSU, Hillman also showed his athletic skills in track and field. He was a high jumper and cleared 6 feet 11.5 inches. This jump is still one of the top 10 highest jumps in San Jose State's history. Hillman also played for the United States men's national basketball team in the 1970 FIBA World Championship.

Professional Basketball Career

Darnell Hillman was a top pick in two basketball drafts in 1971. He was chosen 19th overall by the Indiana Pacers in the 1971 ABA draft. Just nine weeks later, the Golden State Warriors picked him eighth overall in the 1971 NBA draft. Hillman decided to start his professional career with the Pacers in the American Basketball Association (ABA).

Playing for the Pacers

Hillman played for the Pacers for six seasons. In June 1976, the ABA and NBA joined together in what was called the ABA–NBA merger. The Pacers then became part of the National Basketball Association (NBA). During his time with the Pacers, Hillman became famous for his stylish slam dunks. He also had a very large afro hairstyle, which was part of his unique look.

Slam Dunk Champion

In the 1976–77 season, Darnell Hillman won the NBA's Slam Dunk Contest. This contest was an early version of the popular event we know today. He officially received a trophy for this win on March 8, 2017. In the final round of the contest, which happened during halftime of Game 5 of the 1977 NBA Finals, Hillman beat Larry McNeill.

At the time of the final, Hillman was not officially signed to any NBA team. He wore a plain white tank top instead of a team jersey. After winning, he put on a shirt that said "Bottle Shoppe." This was the name of a local store that sponsored his softball team.

Other Teams and Career Totals

After playing for the Pacers, Hillman played for several other NBA teams. These included the New Jersey Nets, Denver Nuggets, Kansas City Kings, and Golden State Warriors. He finished his basketball career in 1980. Throughout his career in both the ABA and NBA, he scored a total of 7,339 points and grabbed 5,809 rebounds, including postseason games.

After Retirement

After his playing career, Darnell Hillman remained connected to basketball.

Awards and Recognition

At an ABA reunion event in 1997, Hillman won the "Biggest ABA Afro" Award, celebrating his famous hairstyle. On February 4, 2012, San Jose State University honored Darnell Hillman by retiring his jersey number, #45. This means no other player at San Jose State will wear that number. He joined Ricky Berry and Olivier Saint-Jean as the only Spartans to have their jerseys retired.

Current Role

Currently, Darnell Hillman works for the Indiana Pacers. He is the Associate Director of Camps, Clinics & Alumni Relations. In this role, he helps organize basketball camps and events, and stays in touch with former Pacers players.

See also

In Spanish: Darnell Hillman para niños