Darnell Hillman
Encyclopedia
Darnell “Dr. Dunk” Hillman (born August 29, 1949) is a former professional basketball
player.
Hillman graduated from Hiram W. Johnson High School.
The 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) forward
played college basketball at San Jose State University
. Hillman was selected in the first round of the 1971 NBA Draft
(the 8th pick overall) by the Golden State Warriors
, but opted instead to play for the Indiana Pacers
of the American Basketball Association
.
Hillman played six seasons for the Pacers, who joined the National Basketball Association
(NBA) with the ABA-NBA merger
in June 1976. Hillman earned a reputation for his stylish slam dunk
s and oversized afro
hairstyle. Hillman later played with the New Jersey Nets
, Denver Nuggets
, Kansas City Kings
, and Golden State Warriors
in the NBA, and he ended his career in 1980 with combined NBA/ABA totals of 6,666 points and 5,187 rebounds during the regular season, and 7,339 points and 5,809 rebounds including the post-season.
Hillman also played for the United States men's national basketball team at the 1970 FIBA World Championship
.
Hillman was once asked by a reporter if it was true he could jump high enough to grab a quarter off the top of the backboard. Hillman responded, “Put a $100 bill up there and see.” The reporter, who had heard the stories of Hillman picking quarters off the top of backboards, turned down the offer.
At the 1997 ABA reunion, Hillman won the "Biggest ABA Afro" Award.
Currently, Hillman serves as Associate Director of Camps, Clinics & Alumni Relations for the Indiana Pacers.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player.
Hillman graduated from Hiram W. Johnson High School.
The 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
played college basketball at San Jose State University
San José State University
San Jose State University is a public university located in San Jose, California, United States...
. Hillman was selected in the first round of the 1971 NBA Draft
1971 NBA Draft
The 1971 NBA Draft was the 25th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on March 29, 1971 before the 1971–72 season. In this draft, 17 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
(the 8th pick overall) by the Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, but opted instead to play for the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
of the American Basketball Association
American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.-League history:...
.
Hillman played six seasons for the Pacers, who joined the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
(NBA) with the ABA-NBA merger
ABA-NBA merger
The ABA–NBA merger was the merger of the American Basketball Association with the National Basketball Association, which after multiple attempts over several years finally occurred in 1976.- Origins of ABA-NBA competition :...
in June 1976. Hillman earned a reputation for his stylish slam dunk
Slam dunk
A slam dunk is a type of basketball shot that is performed when a player jumps in the air and manually powers the ball downward through the basket with one or both hands over the rim. This is considered a normal field goal attempt; if successful it is worth two points. The term "slam dunk" was...
s and oversized afro
Afro
Afro, sometimes shortened to fro and also known as a "natural", is a hairstyle worn naturally by people with lengthy kinky hair texture or specifically styled in such a fashion by individuals with naturally curly or straight hair...
hairstyle. Hillman later played with the New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
, Kansas City Kings
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
, and Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
in the NBA, and he ended his career in 1980 with combined NBA/ABA totals of 6,666 points and 5,187 rebounds during the regular season, and 7,339 points and 5,809 rebounds including the post-season.
Hillman also played for the United States men's national basketball team at the 1970 FIBA World Championship
1970 FIBA World Championship
The 1970 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Yugoslavia at Sarajevo, Split, Karlovac, Skopje and Ljubljana, from May 10 to 24 , 1970...
.
Hillman was once asked by a reporter if it was true he could jump high enough to grab a quarter off the top of the backboard. Hillman responded, “Put a $100 bill up there and see.” The reporter, who had heard the stories of Hillman picking quarters off the top of backboards, turned down the offer.
At the 1997 ABA reunion, Hillman won the "Biggest ABA Afro" Award.
Currently, Hillman serves as Associate Director of Camps, Clinics & Alumni Relations for the Indiana Pacers.