By Ethan Copeland, PSO Asst. Director of Football & Basketball Analytics
Jun 29, 2022

On June 29th, 1982, Dominique Wilkins was drafted by the Utah Jazz 20 years ago (before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks 3 months later), making it a great time to look at all of the remarkable records and historic achievements the Hall of Fame Small Forward has to his name. 

While Dominique Wilkins was selected third overall by the Utah Jazz in the 1982 NBA Draft, the future HOF refused to play for Utah because the team wanted him to play at Power Forward. However, Wilkins knew he’d add the most value playing the 3. Atlanta acquired Wilkins in a trade months after and never looked back as the 6’8 wing became one of the best players to ever play for the franchise. 

Originally from Paris and relocated to North Carolina, Wilkins chose to attend college at the University of Georgia, where he was a three-year starter and used his explosiveness to draw attention from the big leagues. His transition to the NBA went very smoothly, as he made the 1982-83 All-Rookie First Team and started all 82 games for the Hawks. Year after Year, Wilkins continued to perform at the highest level and earned perhaps one of the best nicknames in NBA history: “The Human Highlight Film”!

Dominique was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006 because of his fantastic 12-season career filled with big dunks, impressive stats, and league-wide respect and excitement. The Paris native became one of the best players to ever play for the Hawks franchise and possibly the NBA as a whole with one of the best Slam Dunk contest performances of all-time. Despite retiring decades ago, Wilkins still owns many magnificent records that further cement his Hall of Fame status.

Here are some of the greatest records to know about Dominique Wilkins:

Dominique Wilkins reference atlanta hawks
Via Basketball Reference
 

Dominique Wilkins quickly lived up to the high expectations of being the 3rd overall draft pick

HOF resume:

  • 9x All-Star 
  • 1986 All-NBA 1st Team, 4x 2nd Team, 2x 3rd Team 
  • 1986 NBA Scoring Champ 
  • 1983 NBA All-Rookie 1st Team
  • 2x Dunk Contest Champ
  • NBA 75th Anniversary Team 
  • Hawks career PTS (23,292) leader
  • #21 retired by Hawks

“The Human Highlight Film” was one of the most dominant wing players the NBA has ever seen

Dominique Wilkins’ NBA records:

  • Rookie games (3) of 20+ PTS/2+ BLK/75+ FT% 
  • FGM (63) in 4-game Playoff series
  • 1st with 23+ FTM & 0 missed FTA in 1 game
  • 2nd most PTS (47) in a Game 7

It’s safe to say that Atlanta won the trade over Utah in 1982 as Wilkins became a certified legend in the ‘A’

Dominique Wilkins’ Hawks records:

  • Career PTS (23,292)
  • Career PPG (26.4)
  • Career FGM (8,752)
  • Career Games Played (882) 
  • Season FGM (909) 
  • Seasons (12) of 20+ PPG
  • Seasons (8) of 2,000+ PTS
  • Games of 10+/20+/30+/40+/50+ PTS 
  • Playoff PPG (26.4)
  • Playoff Games (5) of 40+ PTS & 5+ REB
  • T-most PTS (57) in 1 game

Wilkins’s ability to score was never underestimated by his opponents, as they always struggled to slow him down

Most career PTS in Atlanta Hawks history:

1. Dominique Wilkins (23,292)

2. Bob Pettit (20,880)

3. Lou Hudson (16,049)

4. Cliff Hagan (13,447)

5. John Drew (12,621)

As the only player on the leaderboard to drop 57 points twice, Wilkins proved he can go off at a historic level for Atlanta

Most PTS during 1 game in Atlanta Hawks history: 

T1. 1986 Dominique Wilkins (57, 2x)

T1. 1961 Bob Pettit (57)

T1. 1969 Lou Hudson (57)

5. 2022 Trae Young (56)

THE HUMAN HIGHLIGHT REEL

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