Last Updated on April 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
Connie Hawkins was an American professional basketball player, widely regarded as one of the most talented and innovative forwards in basketball history. Here’s detailed information about him:
Player Profile
Personal Information:
- Full Name: Cornelius Lance Hawkins
- Nationality: American
- Date of Birth: July 17, 1942
- Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Date of Death: October 6, 2017 (aged 75)
- Height: 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 meters)
- Weight: 210 pounds (95 kilograms)
- Wingspan: 7 feet 0 inches
- Shoe Size: Size 16 (US)
- Jersey Numbers: 42, 21, 44, 33
- Position: Forward
Educational and Athletic Background:
- High School: Boys High School, Brooklyn, New York
- College:
- Briefly attended the University of Iowa but did not complete his collegiate career due to involvement in a point-shaving scandal, which was later proven to be baseless.
Professional Career:
- NBA Draft: Was not drafted into the NBA due to initial league restrictions but later joined as a result of legal action.
- Teams Played For:
- ABL (American Basketball League): Pittsburgh Rens (1961–1962)
- Harlem Globetrotters: (1963–1967)
- ABA (American Basketball Association): Pittsburgh Pipers (1967–1968)
- NBA:
- Phoenix Suns (1969–1973)
- Los Angeles Lakers (1973–1974)
- Atlanta Hawks (1974–1976)
- Championship Rings: None (though he won the ABA Championship with the Pittsburgh Pipers in 1968).
Legacy and Achievements:
- Notable Achievements:
- ABA Champion (1968)
- NBA All-Star (1970–1973)
- All-NBA First Team (1970)
- Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1992).
Personal Life:
- Children: Hawkins had four children.
- Siblings: Information about siblings is not publicly available.
Connie Hawkins’ player archetype was that of a do-it-all point forward before the term really existed, a dazzling wing-sized creator who could score, handle, pass and rebound with uncommon freedom and flair. Defensively, he was an instinctive playmaker rather than a pure bruiser, using his length, anticipation and mobility to disrupt actions, help off assignments and turn loose plays into transition chances. Offensively, Hawkins operated as a primary initiator and shot creator, capable of attacking off the dribble, finishing above the rim, creating from the mid-post and finding teammates with imaginative passing that made him far more than a volume scorer. Physically, he stood out for his long frame, huge hands, smooth coordination and elastic athleticism, traits that helped make his above-the-rim style feel years ahead of its time. Altogether, his play style was flashy but deeply functional: a creative, high-skill forward who blended playground imagination with genuine star-level production and helped foreshadow the modern oversized offensive hub. (NBA)
Sources:
Britannica — Connie Hawkins | Basketball Hall of Famer, Phoenix Suns Superstar
NBA — Legends profile: Connie Hawkins
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame — Connie Hawkins