Born January 12, 1960, in Paris, France - Dominique Wilkins, an American Basketball Hall of Fame forward, was a nine-time NBA All-Star from 1986–94 of the Atlanta Hawks. Dominique was also selected to the NBA's 75th Anniversary team. He was the prolific player wire Number 21 for most of his career. He was the NBA scoring champion in 1986 and won the annual NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 1985 and 90 with his signature take-it-to-the-hole style. "The Human Highlight film" also played for the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, LA Clippers, and San Antonio Spurs during his career, but I think most of us remember him as a Hawk.
Sports History
Dominique Wilkins The Human Highlight Reel and Dunkmaster
Dominique Wilkins, nicknamed "The Human Highlight Film," soared through the 1980s and 1990s as one of basketball's most electrifying and acrobatic figures. Armed with a devastating two-handed windmill dunk and a relentless scoring appetite, Wilkins carved his name into the NBA's record books and the hearts of fans.
Drafted third by the Utah Jazz in 1982, Wilkins quickly found his calling in Atlanta, becoming the Hawks' franchise cornerstone. His high-flying acrobatics and gravity-defying dunks earned him two Slam Dunk Contest titles and the adoration of fans. But Wilkins was more than just flash; he was a prolific scorer, leading the league in 1986 and averaging over 23 points per game throughout his career.
Wilkins' tireless work ethic and competitive fire fuelled his nine All-Star appearances and four All-NBA selections. He battled fiercely against legends like Michael Jordan and Larry Bird, pushing his game to ever-greater heights. Wilkins' brilliance was undeniable despite never tasting championship glory, leaving him ranked 14th all-time in NBA scoring history.
Beyond the statistics, Wilkins' legacy is tied to his infectious passion and joy for the game. His boundless energy and signature smile energized teammates and crowds alike, reminding everyone that basketball, at its core, was about pure and unadulterated fun.
While injuries forced him to play for various teams later, his impact on the Atlanta Hawks and basketball game remains indelible. He served as a symbol of hope and inspiration, showing kids in Atlanta and beyond that, even the sky wasn't the limit when it came to chasing dreams on the hardwood.
February 8 Jersey Numbers
Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 7 - 15 - 99 - 33 February 8, 1963 - It became offical on this day that the American Football League franchise formerly calle...
- The use of a "banner" counts as 10 words!
This image is courtesy of Wikimedia Commons with a Caption on the image: Arctic Sisterhood BasketBall Team, Nome, Alaska, 1908-09. F.H. Nowell, 5758 (image) This classic image of a group of ladies from Nome, Alaska depicts the basketball gear for women in 1908. The long stockings as was pro...
- The use of a "banner" counts as 10 words!
February 7 Jersey Numbers
Here are some jersey numbers in team sport history that stuck out. February 7, 1949 - Number 5, Joe DiMaggio became the first ball player to earn $100,000 a yearas he did so under contract with the New York Yankees . February 7, 1958 - The Brooklyn Dodgers official...
- The use of a "banner" counts as 10 words!
February 6 Jersey Numbers
Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 31 - 9 - 14 - 83 - 7 - 16 - 22 - 80 - 11 - 84 - 10 - 83 - 12 February 6, 1926 - St Louis Browns acquire catcher Wally Schang from ...
February 5 Jersey Numbers
Here is what happened in Sports Jersey History on February 5: Kareem hits a new NBA high, Hines hauls in a big one and Bob Douglas is honored. Our Sports Jersey Take of the Day is from historian Joe Ziemba. Listen in to learn more about sports history along with me from the unif...
- The use of a "banner" counts as 10 words!
The Oregon Agricultural Hard Court Stars
(image) Members of the 1922 Oregon Agricultural College men's basketball team. From left to rightː Gill (forward), Hjeite (enter), and Feraley (forward), from February 5, 1922. This image is courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. We know the OAC by a different name today, Oregon State. The Oregon Ag...