Last Updated on June 1, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
Connie Hawkins was a groundbreaking talent whose creativity, athleticism, and flair with the ball were years ahead of his time. Despite obstacles that delayed his NBA career, he became a star wherever he played and remains one of the most influential figures 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.
Player Archetype / Play Style
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