Connie Hawkins
Inducted:
1992
Player Stats
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
Born
July 17, 1942
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Died
October 6, 2017
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Position
Power forward
Center
College
University of Iowa
Connie Hawkins, affectionately known as "The Hawk," was a playground legend whose professional ascent was delayed by an unjust ban from the NBA. Despite spending his prime years in the ABL and ABA, where he led the Pittsburgh Pipers to a title and earned MVP honors, his arrival in the NBA at age 27 showcased a talent far ahead of its time. Hawkins was a precursor to the modern athletic wing, possessing massive hands that allowed him to palm the ball like a grapefruit while executing soaring dunks and creative finger rolls.
His style of play brought a streetball flair to the professional hardwood, particularly during his tenure with the Phoenix Suns. Despite physical tolls from his years on the road with the Harlem Globetrotters, he remained a spectacular performer and a perennial All-Star. His resilience and unique artistry on the court eventually led to his rightful induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992.
Hawkins's Awards and Records
- ABA champion (1968)
- ABA Playoffs MVP (1968)
- ABA Most Valuable Player (1968)
- 2× ABA All-Star (1968, 1969)
- 2× All-ABA First Team (1968, 1969)
- ABA All-Time Team
NBA Records
- 4× NBA All-Star (1970–1973)
- All-NBA First Team (1970)
NBA Teams
Pittsburgh/Minnesota Pipers (1967–1969)
Phoenix Suns (1969–1973)
Los Angeles Lakers (1973–1975)
Atlanta Hawks (1975–1976)
NBA Draft
1964: undrafted
Number Worn
42
NBA Stats
Seasons:
9 (1967–1976)
Games Played:
710
Points:
11,528 (18.7 ppg)
Rebounds:
5,450 (8.8 rpg)
Assists:
2,556 (4.1 apg)
Steals:
244 (1.2 spg)
Blocks:
150 (0.8 bpg)
Field Goal(%):
48.4
Free Throw(%):
78.0