Dominique Wilkins

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Lore & Background

Despite his individual brilliance, which included seven All-NBA selections and a scoring title in 1985–86, Wilkins never reached the NBA Finals during his prime years in Atlanta. The Hawks recorded four consecutive 50-win seasons in the 1980s and advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals multiple times, but could not get past teams like the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons. In Game 7 of the 1988 Eastern Conference Semifinals, Wilkins scored 47 points in a 118–116 loss to Boston, trading buckets with Larry Bird in the fourth quarter. "That's the greatest game I've ever played in or seen played," Wilkins said. "It was two guys who just did not want to lose."

In Their Own Story

The air inside the Omni Coliseum was thick with anticipation as the crowd roared for the man in red and black number 21. Dominique Wilkins caught a pass near the top of the key, took two long strides, and launched himself toward the basket. His trademark one- or two-handed windmill dunks became the signature of his game, capturing Slam Dunk Contest titles in 1985 and 1990. In the 1985–86 season, he led the NBA with 30.3 points per game and scored 57 points in a single game. The Hawks won 50 games that season, a dramatic turnaround from 34 wins the year before. Wilkins averaged 28.6 points in nine playoff games that spring.

Reader's Guide

For Atlanta Hawks supporters, Dominique Wilkins is more than a retired player; he represents the peak of athletic artistry in the franchise's history. His jersey number 21, permanently retired by the team on January 13, 2001, hangs above the court. He is one of only five players whose jerseys have been retired by the Hawks. Fans remember his four straight 50-win seasons in the 1980s and his scoring title in 1985–86. His legacy is also preserved through his career totals: 26,668 points and 7,169 rebounds in the NBA. As of 2024, he ranks 17th on the NBA scoring list.

Did You Know?

• Wilkins was born in Paris while his father was stationed in France as an officer in the U.S. Army.
• He was featured in Sports Illustrated's 'Faces in the Crowd' after a high school game where he scored 48 points, had 27 rebounds, 9 dunks, and 8 blocks.
• Wilkins was traded from the Utah Jazz to the Atlanta Hawks for John Drew, Freeman Williams, and $1 million in cash — a deal now considered among the most lopsided in NBA history.
• In Game 7 of the 1988 Eastern Conference Semifinals, Wilkins scored 47 points in a 118–116 loss to the Boston Celtics, trading buckets with Larry Bird in the fourth quarter.
• Wilkins won his first championship titles — the FIBA European League and the Greek Cup — while playing for Panathinaikos in Greece.

The Human Highlight Film: A Scoring Phenomenon

Jacques Dominique Wilkins was born on January 12, 1960, in Paris while his father was stationed in France as an officer in the U.S. Army. His family moved to Texas, then Baltimore, before settling in Washington, North Carolina, where he attended Washington High School. He was back-to-back MVP for the team's consecutive Class 3-A State Championships (1978–1979). Sports Illustrated featured him in its "Faces in the Crowd" section after a game in which he scored 48 points, grabbed 27 rebounds, threw down 9 dunks, and blocked 8 shots. He starred in the McDonald's All-American Game (16 points, 12 rebounds), the Capital Classic (26 points), and the Kentucky Derby Festival Classic (22 points). At the University of Georgia, he averaged 21.6 points per game and made the All-Southeastern Conference First Team in 1981. He left after his junior year and was selected third overall by the Utah Jazz in the 1982 NBA draft, but was traded to the Atlanta Hawks for John Drew, Freeman Williams, and $1 million in cash. Wilkins averaged more than 25 points per game for ten consecutive seasons and captured the scoring title in 1985–86 with 30.3 points per game. He won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 1985 and 1990. His nickname was "The Human Highlight Film" for his athletic ability and highlight reel dunks.

Franchise Icon: The Atlanta Hawks Legacy

Dominique Wilkins holds nearly every major franchise record tracking longevity and production. In 12 seasons with the Hawks — the most of any player in franchise history — he played a club-record 882 games and logged 32,545 minutes. He owns the all-time career points lead with 23,292 and tops the list in scoring average at 26.4 ppg. He led the Hawks to four consecutive 50-win seasons in the 1980s. In the 1990–91 season, as he entered his thirties, Wilkins averaged 9.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. The Hawks retired his #21 jersey on January 13, 2001. He is one of five players whose jerseys have been retired by the Hawks.

Global Career and International Glory

Though tied to Atlanta globally, Wilkins played across multiple continents before retiring in 1999. After 11 seasons with the Hawks, he had short stints with the Los Angeles Clippers, the Boston Celtics, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Orlando Magic. Moving overseas, he joined Panathinaikos of the Greek Basket League, capturing both the FIBA European League title and the Greek Cup — his first championship rings. He later played for Fortitudo Bologna of Italy's Lega Basket Serie A. On the national stage, he won a gold medal with the U.S. men's national team at the 1994 FIBA World Championship.

Hall of Fame Recognition and Enduring Impact

Official honors soon followed Dominique Wilkins' achievements on the court. In 2006, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In October 2021, he was honored as one of the league's greatest players of all time by being named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. His career totals of 26,668 points and 7,169 rebounds in the NBA secure his spot as a top scorer; as of 2024, he ranks 17th on the NBA scoring list. He was a nine-time NBA All-Star and a seven-time All-NBA Team member.