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Dominique Wilkins, born on January 12, 1960, in Paris, France, is a retired American professional basketball player. Nicknamed The Human Highlight Film, Wilkins is known for his scoring, dunking, and athletic abilities. He played for several NBA teams, most notably the Atlanta Hawks, and had a successful career spanning over a decade. Wilkins' achievements include being a nine-time NBA All-Star, leading the NBA in scoring in the 1985-86 season, and winning two dunk contests. In recognition of his outstanding career, Wilkins was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
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Dominique Wilkins' career achievements
Dominique Wilkins is a French-born American former professional basketball player. Wilkins primarily played for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and is a nine-time NBA All-Star. He is also a seven-time All-NBA Team member and is widely viewed as one of the most acrobatic slam dunkers in NBA history. This earned him the nickname "The Human Highlight Film".
Wilkins entered the University of Georgia in 1979 with a reputation as an exciting player and left as the “Human Highlight Film”. He averaged 21.6 points per game over his Bulldogs career and was named to the All-Southeastern Conference First Team in 1981. Wilkins was selected third overall by the Utah Jazz in the 1982 NBA draft. However, Wilkins was not willing to play in Utah, so the team traded him to the Atlanta Hawks several months after the draft.
Wilkins led the NBA in scoring in the 1985–86 season. He registered 26,668 points and 7,169 rebounds in his NBA career and, as of 2024, ranks 17th on the NBA scoring list. He is one of only eight players in NBA history to average at least 25 points per game for 10 consecutive seasons. He also holds the record for free throws made in a game with no misses, sinking 23 out of 23 against the Chicago Bulls in December 1992.
Wilkins had short stints with several other teams, including the Los Angeles Clippers, the Boston Celtics, and the San Antonio Spurs, before retiring in 1999. As a member of the U.S. men's national team, he won gold at the 1994 FIBA World Championship. In 2006, Wilkins was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
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Teams Wilkins played for
Dominique Wilkins played for several teams throughout his career, including some of the biggest franchises in the NBA.
Wilkins' longest stint was with the Atlanta Hawks, for whom he played for 11 seasons. He was an instant hit with the Hawks, averaging 17.5 points in his rookie year, and went on to average above 20 points per game for 11 consecutive seasons. He led the NBA in scoring in the 1985–86 season, and he remains the Hawks' all-time franchise leader in games (882), points (23,292), and points per game (26.4). Wilkins' number #21 jersey was retired by the Hawks in 2001, and he is now a goodwill ambassador for the franchise.
Wilkins also had short stints with several other NBA teams, including the Los Angeles Clippers, the Boston Celtics, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Orlando Magic. He joined the Celtics as a free agent in 1993, but only played one season with the team before moving to Europe. In 1996, he returned to the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs, leading the team in scoring with an average of 18.2 points per game.
In addition to his NBA career, Wilkins also played for several European teams. He signed for Panathinaikos of the Greek Basket League in 1995, winning his first titles (the FIBA European League and the Greek Cup) and being named the MVP of the European Final Four in Paris. He also played for Fortitudo Bologna of Lega Basket Serie A in Italy, and Teamsystem in the 1997-98 season.
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Post-retirement career
Dominique Wilkins was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
Following his retirement from basketball in 1999, Dominique Wilkins has remained active in several ventures. He served as the Hawks' Vice President of Basketball and worked as a colour analyst, maintaining a significant presence in the basketball community. Wilkins has also been involved in public speaking, making appearances and speeches at corporate outings and charity events. He has addressed a wide range of topics, including leadership, motivation, and effective communication.
Wilkins has also pursued business interests, including a partnership with the fitness company 24 Hour Fitness to develop the Dominique Wilkins Basketball Academy, which offered private training, camps, and clinics. In addition, he has ventured into the world of entertainment, starring in a television commercial campaign for TitleMax in 2010 alongside Verne Troyer.
Another passion of Wilkins' is wine; he has launched his private label, Wilkins Private Reserve, which has received positive reviews from critics and is featured in select restaurants in Atlanta and the Southeast. He developed an interest in fine wines while playing professionally in Italy and owning a private label was one of his long-term goals.
Wilkins has also been involved in philanthropic efforts and community outreach, including raising awareness about diabetes, with a focus on children's nutrition. He filmed a commercial for Novo Nordisk's Victoza to highlight their work in this area, a cause close to his heart as his father and grandfather both died from diabetic complications.
In 2009, Wilkins participated in the McDonald's All-Star Celebrity Game during the NBA All-Star Weekend, demonstrating his continued involvement in the sport.
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Personal life and family
Dominique Wilkins was born on January 12, 1960, in Paris, France, to John Wilkins, a sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, and Gertrude Baker. Wilkins grew up in a military family, living in various cities, including Dallas, Baltimore, and Washington, North Carolina, where he attended Washington High School. He has seven siblings, including a younger brother, Gerald Wilkins, who also played in the NBA, mainly for the New York Knicks.
Wilkins experienced success both on and off the basketball court. He excelled in high school basketball, winning back-to-back MVP awards in the team's consecutive Class 3-A State Championships in 1978 and 1979. He went on to play college basketball at the University of Georgia, where he was named SEC Men's Basketball Player of the Year in 1981. Wilkins was drafted into the NBA in 1982, selected by the Utah Jazz, and later traded to the Atlanta Hawks, where he spent 12 successful years.
Beyond his basketball career, Wilkins has been actively involved in philanthropic endeavours and community outreach. He has worked with organisations such as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Special Olympics, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. In 2010, Wilkins partnered with 24 Hour Fitness to establish the Dominique Wilkins Basketball Academy, providing training and camps for young athletes. Additionally, he has promoted health awareness, including diabetes prevention, due to his family history of diabetic complications.
In terms of his personal life, Wilkins has had several relationships. He is currently in a relationship with Jedidia Hazlewood, a former law enforcement officer and a sergeant at the City of Lithonia Police Department in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Health and charitable work
Dominique Wilkins has been involved in various charitable activities and health initiatives, particularly those related to diabetes. He has worked with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the American Lung Association, reflecting his personal commitment as a diabetic to raising awareness and funds for the disease. Wilkins launched "Nique and Newt's Full-Court Press on Diabetes" with former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Newt Gingrich, in July 2007. In March 2010, he was honoured by the Georgia State Legislature, which named him the Diabetes Ambassador for the state of Georgia. Wilkins is also a diabetes ambassador for Novo Nordisk, a world leader in diabetes care.
Wilkins has also been active in other charitable endeavours, including the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Special Olympics, Muscular Dystrophy Association, and more. He makes appearances and speeches at corporate outings and charity events, sharing his experiences and inspiring others with his leadership skills and internal motivation. Wilkins has also launched private label initiatives, such as "Wilkins Private Reserve," showcasing his diverse interests beyond basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Dominique Wilkins was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
Wilkins was a nine-time NBA All-Star and led the NBA in scoring in the 1985–86 season. He is also a two-time dunk contest winner and had a legendary battle with Michael Jordan in another. He was known for his trademark one- or two-handed windmill dunks. He was also a member of the U.S. men's national team that won gold at the 1994 FIBA World Championship.
Wilkins is currently the Vice President of Basketball for the Atlanta Hawks, whom he spent most of his playing career with. He is also an active member of the diabetes community, helping others to understand and live with the disease.
