Tom Hawkins (basketball) facts for kids
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 22, 1936 Chicago, Illinois |
| Nationality | American |
| Died | August 16, 2017 (aged 80) Malibu, California |
| High school | Parker (Chicago, Illinois) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Listed weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Notre Dame (1956–1959) |
| NBA Draft | 1959 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3rd overall |
| Selected by the Minneapolis Lakers | |
| Pro career | 1959–1969 |
| Career history | |
| 1959–1962 | Minneapolis / Los Angeles Lakers |
| 1962–1966 | Cincinnati Royals |
| 1966–1969 | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 6,672 (8.7 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 4,607 (6.7 rpg) |
| Assists | 871 (1.1 apg) |
Thomas Jerome Hawkins (born December 22, 1936 – died August 16, 2017) was an American professional basketball player. He was known as "Tom" to his friends and fans.
Tom Hawkins was a tall forward at 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 meters). He became a basketball star at Parker High School in Chicago. After high school, he played for the University of Notre Dame. He was the first African-American basketball star at Notre Dame.
In 1959, Tom was chosen by the Minneapolis Lakers in the first round of the 1959 NBA draft. He played for ten years in the NBA. During his career, he played for the Lakers (who later moved to Los Angeles) and the Cincinnati Royals. He scored 6,672 points and grabbed 4,607 rebounds in his career.
After his basketball career, Tom Hawkins worked in radio and television. He was a broadcaster in Los Angeles. He also became the vice president of communications for the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.
Tom Hawkins passed away at his home in Malibu, California on August 16, 2017.
Contents
Tom's College Basketball Career
Tom Hawkins played college basketball for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He was a very important player for his team.
Awards and Recognition
Tom received several awards during his college years:
- In 1959, he was named a second-team All-American. This means he was recognized as one of the best college players in the country.
- In 1958, he was also named a second-team All-American by UPI and the NABC.
- The AP also named him a third-team All-American in 1958.
Tom's NBA Career
Tom Hawkins played in the NBA for a decade, from 1959 to 1969. He was known for his skills as a small forward.
Teams Tom Played For
- Minneapolis / Los Angeles Lakers (1959–1961, 1966–1968): He started his career with the Lakers when they were in Minneapolis. He later returned to the team when they moved to Los Angeles.
- Cincinnati Royals (1962–1965): Tom also played for the Cincinnati Royals for a few seasons.
Career Statistics
Over his NBA career, Tom Hawkins achieved impressive numbers:
- Points: 6,672 total points, averaging 8.7 points per game.
- Rebounds: 4,607 total rebounds, averaging 6.7 rebounds per game.
- Assists: 871 total assists, averaging 1.1 assists per game.
Life After Basketball
After retiring from professional basketball, Tom Hawkins stayed involved in sports. He used his voice and knowledge to work in broadcasting.
Broadcasting and Communications
- He worked in radio and television, sharing his insights on sports.
- He held an important role as the vice president of communications for the Los Angeles Dodgers. This job involved managing how the baseball team communicated with the public and media.
