Dominique Wilkins facts for kids
Wilkins in 2022
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| Atlanta Hawks | ||||||||||||||
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| Vice president of basketball operations | ||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||
| Born | January 12, 1960 Paris, France |
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| Nationality | American | |||||||||||||
| High school | Washington (Washington, North Carolina) | |||||||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) | |||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 230 lb (104 kg) | |||||||||||||
| Career information | ||||||||||||||
| College | Georgia (1979–1982) | |||||||||||||
| NBA Draft | 1982 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3rd overall | |||||||||||||
| Selected by the Utah Jazz | ||||||||||||||
| Pro career | 1982–1999 | |||||||||||||
| League | NBA | |||||||||||||
| Career history | ||||||||||||||
| 1982–1994 | Atlanta Hawks | |||||||||||||
| 1994 | Los Angeles Clippers | |||||||||||||
| 1994–1995 | Boston Celtics | |||||||||||||
| 1995–1996 | Panathinaikos | |||||||||||||
| 1996–1997 | San Antonio Spurs | |||||||||||||
| 1997–1998 | Fortitudo Bologna | |||||||||||||
| 1999 | Orlando Magic | |||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | ||||||||||||||
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| Career NBA statistics | ||||||||||||||
| Points | 26,668 (24.8 ppg) | |||||||||||||
| Rebounds | 7,167 (6.7 rpg) | |||||||||||||
| Assists | 2,677 (2.5 apg) | |||||||||||||
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Medals
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Jacques Dominique Wilkins (born January 12, 1960) is a former American professional basketball player. He is famous for his time with the Atlanta Hawks in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Wilkins was a nine-time NBA All-Star and is known as one of the best slam dunkers in basketball history. His amazing dunks earned him the nickname "the Human Highlight Film."
In 2021, Wilkins was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, honoring him as one of the greatest players ever. He holds many records for the Atlanta Hawks, including the most seasons played (12) and the most career points (23,292). In 2006, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Besides playing for the Hawks, Wilkins also played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics, and other teams in Europe. He won a gold medal with the U.S. national team at the 1994 FIBA World Championship.
Contents
Early Life and College
Dominique Wilkins was born in Paris, France, because his father was serving in the U.S. Army there. His family later moved to Washington, North Carolina. In high school, he was a superstar, leading his team to two state championships. He was so good that Sports Illustrated magazine wrote about him.
Wilkins went to the University of Georgia in 1979. He was an exciting player to watch and quickly became known as the “Human Highlight Film.” He was so talented that he decided to leave college after his third year to play professional basketball in the 1982 NBA draft.
Professional Career
Atlanta Hawks (1982–1994)
Wilkins was picked third in the 1982 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz. However, he did not want to play for them. A few months later, the Jazz traded him to the Atlanta Hawks. This trade is now seen as one of the most one-sided deals in NBA history because Wilkins became a superstar in Atlanta.
For ten straight seasons, Wilkins averaged over 25 points per game. He even won the NBA scoring title in the 1985–86 season with 30.3 points per game. He was the star player who made the Hawks one of the best teams in the 1980s.
His nickname, "The Human Highlight Film," came from his incredible athletic skills and amazing dunks. His signature move was a powerful one- or two-handed windmill dunk. He won two Slam Dunk Contests with these moves. In 2001, the Hawks retired his #21 jersey to honor him.
A Star in the Making
In the 1985–86 season, Wilkins became one of the best players in the NBA. He won the scoring title and was named an NBA All-Star for the first time. The Hawks became a winning team, making it to the playoffs.
One of the most famous moments of his career was in the 1988 NBA playoffs. The Hawks played the Boston Celtics in a thrilling Game 7. Wilkins and Celtics star Larry Bird went back and forth, scoring basket after basket. Wilkins scored 47 points, but the Celtics won 118–116. Wilkins later said it was the greatest game he ever played in.
Injury and Comeback
During the 1991–92 season, Wilkins suffered a serious injury to his Achilles tendon. Many people thought his career might be over. However, he made an amazing comeback the next season. He averaged almost 30 points per game, showing everyone he was still one of the best scorers in the league.
Playing for Other Teams
In 1994, the Hawks surprised everyone by trading Wilkins to the Los Angeles Clippers. This was a strange move because the Hawks were in first place at the time. Wilkins played well for the Clippers and then signed with the Boston Celtics the next season.
After his time in Boston, Wilkins did something unusual for a star player. He moved to Europe to play for a Greek team called Panathinaikos. He was paid a lot of money and was greeted by thousands of fans in Greece. He led the team to win the EuroLeague championship, Europe's top basketball prize, and was named the EuroLeague Final Four MVP.
He later returned to the NBA to play for the San Antonio Spurs and the Orlando Magic. He played his final season with the Magic alongside his brother, Gerald Wilkins, before retiring in 1999.
Slam Dunk Contests
Wilkins was famous for his performance in the Slam Dunk Contest. He competed five times and won twice, in 1985 and 1990. His contests against Michael Jordan are some of the most famous in NBA history.
In 1988, he and Jordan had an epic duel in Chicago. Wilkins performed a powerful windmill dunk that seemed perfect, but the judges gave him a low score of 45. This allowed Jordan to win with his final dunk. Many people still talk about this controversial contest today.
Life After Basketball
Since 2004, Dominique Wilkins has worked for the Atlanta Hawks as the Vice President of Basketball. He helps manage the team and also works as a TV announcer for Hawks games.
Wilkins is also involved in raising awareness for diabetes, a disease that has affected his family. In 2015, the Atlanta Hawks honored him with a statue outside their arena, State Farm Arena.
See also
In Spanish: Dominique Wilkins para niños
