News of Darryl Dawkins’ death was met with both shock and sadness.
Dawkins, whose rim-rattling dunks earned him the nickname “Chocolate Thunder,” died Thursday morning at a hospital, according to the Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, coroner’s office. He was 58.
No cause of death immediately was announced, but it didn’t take long for former and current NBA players to react with heartfelt messages via social media.
Dawkins spent parts of 14 seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons. He was selected No. 5 overall in the 1975 NBA Draft by the Sixers.
Some of the Twitter and Instagram responses to Dawkins’ death can be found below.
We remember the entertaining career of DARRYL "Chocolate Thunder" DAWKINS on #NB80s! #GoneTooSoonhttps://t.co/vloCX7xI0w
— NBA (@NBA) August 27, 2015
Gone Too Soon… #ChocolateThunder pic.twitter.com/kL4jgfy4NA
— NBA (@NBA) August 27, 2015
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) August 27, 2015
An icon on and off the court. Chocolate Thunder was one of a kind. pic.twitter.com/6T3PFwLMd0
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) August 27, 2015
Rest In Peace Darryl Dawkins aka Chocolate Thunder pic.twitter.com/0FPKTUel6I
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) August 27, 2015
Darryl Dawkins' bigger than life personality will be missed by all. He was a good friend and I will miss him dearly.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) August 27, 2015
RIP Chocolate Thunder pic.twitter.com/WFFCPqeELk
— Allen Iverson (@alleniverson) August 27, 2015
Condolences to the family of Darryl Dawkins, a great man! Your smile personality and energy will truly be missed!!!
— Allen Iverson (@alleniverson) August 27, 2015
SAD SAD SAD, thoughts and prayers to the Dawkins Family.. Your smile will be missed my friend..… https://t.co/3vOyCq1aCA
— Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) August 27, 2015
RIP to Darryl Dawkins aka "Chocolate Thunder" – a great man, entertainer, athlete and ferocious dunker. He will be missed but not forgotten.
— Kevin Johnson (@KJ_MayorJohnson) August 27, 2015
R.I.P to Orlando florida's own "Chocolate Thunder" Darryl Dawkins. You will be missed my friend. You paved … http://t.co/NXoiej1nDP
— Vince Carter (@mrvincecarter15) August 27, 2015
Sad day. We lost Darryl Dawkins today. #NBAFamily #Pioneer pic.twitter.com/1EPQRijjcH
— Mateen Cleaves (@Mateen_Cleaves) August 27, 2015
I'm going to miss you so much Uncle Darryl. There will never be another Chocolate Thunder. Love you so much and going to miss you so much..
— Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) August 27, 2015
Always told you I would make it to the NBA since I was little, I thank the man above for allowing me to come through on my promise to you.
— Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) August 27, 2015
https://instagram.com/p/65g0AuKi6m/?taken-by=dwighthoward
Thumbnail photo via Twitter@NBCSports
