Dominique Wilkins Bio (Biography)
Real name:
Jacques Dominique Wilkins
Date of birth:
January 12. 1960
Place of birth:
Paris, France
Astrology Sign:
Capricorn
Height:
6' 8" (2.03 m)
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Biography
Towering over many other players at six foot eight inches, Jacques Dominique Wilkins was one of the highest scorers to play professional basketball. Wilkins began his career in 1982 for the Utah Jazz, although he was quickly traded to the Atlanta Hawks shortly after joining the Jazz. Since then, he played for several other teams until his retirement in 1999.
Wilkins had two different nicknames during his NBA career. One was "Nique," a shortened form of Dominique. The other was "The Human Highlight Film" because of his great athleticism and because of his many slam dunks, especially his windmill dunks.
Wilkins father was in the Air Force and stationed in Paris in 1960. His wife was living with him and gave birth to Wilkins on January 12, and the couple later moved their family back to the US. Wilkins went to college at the University of Georgia, where he quickly gained a reputation for amazing basketball playing. He left college after his third year, when he was selected as the third pick of the Utah Jazz in the 1982 NBA Draft.
After leaving the Jazz, Wilkins would stay with the Hawks for over ten years. Then he would be traded at least once a year for the rest of his career, playing for the LA Clippers (1994), the Boston Celtics (1994-95), the Panathinaikos (a Greek team, 1995-96), the San Antonio Spurs (1996-97), the Fortitudo Bologna (an Italian team, 1997-98), and finally the Orlando Magic (1999). During his time with the Hawks, the team recorded four 50-win seasons, and the team retired Wilkin's number 21 jersey in 2001 in honor of his contributions. He is one of four Hawks players to have their numbers retired.
Wilkins is also known for winning two slam dunk contests, one in 1984 and one in 1990. During these contests, Wilkins battled it out with other great players like Julius Erving, Spud Webb, Michael Jordan, and Scottie Pippen. Wilkins and Jordan, in particular, had a very spirited rivalry.
After retiring, Wilkins was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame (April 2004) and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (April 2006).
Wilkins had two different nicknames during his NBA career. One was "Nique," a shortened form of Dominique. The other was "The Human Highlight Film" because of his great athleticism and because of his many slam dunks, especially his windmill dunks.
Wilkins father was in the Air Force and stationed in Paris in 1960. His wife was living with him and gave birth to Wilkins on January 12, and the couple later moved their family back to the US. Wilkins went to college at the University of Georgia, where he quickly gained a reputation for amazing basketball playing. He left college after his third year, when he was selected as the third pick of the Utah Jazz in the 1982 NBA Draft.
After leaving the Jazz, Wilkins would stay with the Hawks for over ten years. Then he would be traded at least once a year for the rest of his career, playing for the LA Clippers (1994), the Boston Celtics (1994-95), the Panathinaikos (a Greek team, 1995-96), the San Antonio Spurs (1996-97), the Fortitudo Bologna (an Italian team, 1997-98), and finally the Orlando Magic (1999). During his time with the Hawks, the team recorded four 50-win seasons, and the team retired Wilkin's number 21 jersey in 2001 in honor of his contributions. He is one of four Hawks players to have their numbers retired.
Wilkins is also known for winning two slam dunk contests, one in 1984 and one in 1990. During these contests, Wilkins battled it out with other great players like Julius Erving, Spud Webb, Michael Jordan, and Scottie Pippen. Wilkins and Jordan, in particular, had a very spirited rivalry.
After retiring, Wilkins was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame (April 2004) and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (April 2006).