Hall of Famer Connie Hawkins dies at age 75
— -- Connie Hawkins, a schoolyard legend who soared and swooped his way to the Hall of Fame, died Friday at the age of 75, according to the Phoenix Suns.
Hawkins played seven seasons in the NBA, including four All-Star seasons with the Suns from 1969 to 1973. He also played for the Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks.
"'The Hawk' revolutionized the game and remains to this day an icon of the sport and one of basketball's great innovators," the Suns said in a statement. "His unique combination of size, grace and athleticism was well ahead of its time, and his signature style of play is now a hallmark of the modern game."
Suns officials told The Associated Press that they confirmed Hawkins' death with his family.
Hawkins was born in Brooklyn, New York, where he ruled the asphalt playgrounds and tales of his basketball feats spread across the boroughs.
He was a decent shooter, but he was at his masterful best should anyone attempt to cover him one-on-one. He would blow by defenders and finish at the rim with breathtaking wizardry or a thunderous slam. Before there was Julius Erving, Hawkins produced his own brand of basketball theater, though he played before decidedly smaller houses.
Before joining the NBA at age 27, Hawkins played two seasons in the ABA, winning the league title and MVP honors with the Pittsburgh Pipers in 1967-68. Hawkins also played four seasons with the Harlem Globetrotters in the 1960s.
The NBA had kept its distance because of a college point-shaving scandal in New York City while Hawkins was a freshman at Iowa in 1961. Hawkins was not directly implicated, but his name became attached to others involved.
In 1992, Hawkins became the first Suns player to be enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
"We will miss Hawk dearly," the team said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends as we mourn the passing of a true Suns legend."
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