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Report: NBA legend Darryl 'Chocolate Thunder' Dawkins dies at 58

Posted at 2:46 PM, Aug 27, 2015
and last updated 2015-08-27 14:52:54-04

NBA legend Darryl Dawkins has died at the age of 58, according to a report.

Pennsylvania's WFMZ broke the news on Thursday afternoon, citing a local source. Dawkins spent seven seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers and made his home in the Lehigh Valley, according to WFMZ.

Dawkins' NBA career was notable for several reasons. In 1975, he was one of the first players in league history to be drafted straight out of high school. In 1979, while playing with the 76ers, he shattered two backboards in separate games, with thundering slam dunks.

Another iconic part of Dawkins' legacy is his nickname, "Chocolate Thunder." According to CBS Sports, the moniker was given to Dawkins by Stevie Wonder and it stuck through his 14-year NBA career and beyond.

After he retired from playing, Dawkins went on to coach at the professional and collegiate levels. According to WFMZ, he most recently coached the Lehigh Carbon Community College men's basketball team.

See footage of Dawkins' two backboard-shattering dunks below, courtesy of NBA TV.