Last Updated on April 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here is the detailed profile for Darrell Griffith, also known as “Dr. Dunkenstein”:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Darrell Steven Griffith
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born June 16, 1958
  • Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
  • Height: 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm)
  • Weight: 190 pounds (86 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 5 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 13 (US)
  • Jersey Number: 35 (Utah Jazz)
  • Position: Shooting Guard
  • High School: Male High School, Louisville, Kentucky
  • College: University of Louisville (1976–1980)
    • Led Louisville to its first NCAA Championship in 1980.
    • Won the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player award in 1980.
  • NBA Draft:
    • Drafted 2nd overall in the 1980 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz.
  • Teams Played For:
    • Utah Jazz (1980–1991)
  • Championship Rings:
    • None in the NBA, but one NCAA Championship (1980).
  • Children: Has a son, Darrell Griffith Jr.
  • Siblings: Information not publicly available.

Additional Highlights:

  • Darrell Griffith is best known for his incredible leaping ability, earning the nickname “Dr. Dunkenstein.”
  • He was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 1981.
  • His number 35 jersey was retired by the Utah Jazz in honor of his contributions to the team.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Darrell Griffith was an attacking scoring guard whose archetype mixed high-level wing scoring with explosive athleticism, giving him the profile of a volume shooter who could also play above the rim. Defensively, he was more of a competitive backcourt defender than a specialist, using strength and quickness to stay involved on guards and wings without being the kind of player a team built its whole scheme around. Offensively, his role was much larger: he was asked to create points, stretch defenses with his jumper, and supply steady perimeter firepower, especially during his peak Jazz years when he topped 20 points per game multiple times. At 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, Griffith had good guard size, strong leaping ability, and the kind of athletic pop that made the “Dr. Dunkenstein” nickname fit. In style, he played as an aggressive, crowd-lifting scorer who blended outside shooting with straight-line burst and finishing flair, making him one of the more dynamic scoring guards of his era. (Basketball Reference)

Sources:

Darrell Griffith Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and More — Basketball-Reference
Darrell Griffith | Guard | Utah Jazz — NBA.com
Darrell Griffith – John R. Wooden Award — Wooden Award
Milestones — Utah Jazz