Community reacts to Hawkins’ death, remember the Suns ‘great hero’
Oct 7, 2017, 10:23 AM | Updated: Oct 18, 2017, 2:10 pm
FILE - In this Oct. 16, 1999, file photo, former basketball players Connie Hawkins, left, and Bill Russell greet each other upon arrival at the the memorial service for basketball great Wilt Chamberlain, in Los Angeles. Basketball great Connie Hawkins has died at 75. The Hall of Famer's death was announced in a statement Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, by the Phoenix Suns, the team with which he spent his most productive NBA seasons. The Suns told The Associated Press they confirmed the death with his family. The 6-foot-8 Hawkins was a dazzling playground legend in New York City who rose to basketball's heights. The Suns lauded his "unique combination of size, grace and athleticism." (AP Photo/ Reed Saxon, Pool, File)
(AP Photo/ Reed Saxon, Pool, File)
The Valley was hit with some tough news Saturday morning.
Phoenix Suns great Connie Hawkins passed away Friday night at the age of 75.
Hawkins is regarded as the Suns’ first superstar and is one of 15 people in the team’s Ring of Honor. He is also a Basketball Hall of Famer, and according to the Suns, he “helped put Phoenix on the map.”
The Suns are beginning their 50th season of existence, and thus are celebrating great members from the franchise from each of the team’s five decades.
Against the Orlando Magic on Nov. 10, the Suns had already planned to give out Connie Hawkins bobbleheads for its 1960s-70s Decade Night.
Our Decade Night giveaway on Nov.10 takes on a different meaning today. We'll continue to honor your legacy, Connie. #RIPHawk pic.twitter.com/M7qnXTNZfh
— Casey Taggatz (@caseytaggatz) October 7, 2017
The Phoenix community, and the world for that matter, reacted with remembrance and praise to the death of one of the best players in the NBA’s early history.
The city of Phoenix lost a great hero Connie Hawkins did so much for the Suns and the city rest in paradise Hawk! thank u! You will b missed
— BigSauce (@alantwilliams) October 7, 2017
Gonna miss the Hawk! Legend! RIP https://t.co/noev9VBpgT
— Steve Nash (@SteveNash) October 7, 2017
Hawk got our @Suns franchise started the right way — w/amazing athleticism & class. Great ambassador for the game & our city his whole life. https://t.co/5y8jbeGIf7
— Greg Stanton (@MayorStanton) October 7, 2017
Hawk, you will be missed around here. Simply an amazing human being. One of the best to ever wear the uniform. #RIPHawk pic.twitter.com/uGrFMSnUri
— Jay Gaspar (@PHXJGaspar) October 7, 2017
Some of my greatest memories with the @Suns were with this guy. A gentle giant who has left us too soon. #RIPHawk #SunsLegend #NBAHallOfFame pic.twitter.com/Awemih4cJi
— Chris Mallory (@NFLMal) October 7, 2017
RIP to my good friend Connie Hawkins who helped me tremendously in my time with @Suns 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 #TheHawk #ConnieHawkins pic.twitter.com/2akzO6uIvw
— Elliot Perry (@eperry328) October 7, 2017
Now the best Connie Hawkins plays overall, not just dunks, are where he just swoops the ball around defenders endlessly pic.twitter.com/LK6ipRiT3Q
— Pro Hoops History (@ProHoopsHistory) October 7, 2017
RIP Connie Hawkins. Can still see him waving that ball en route to the hoop. Check out his bio "Foul: The Connie Hawkins Story."
— Bob Ryan (@GlobeBobRyan) October 7, 2017
Connie Hawkins was, each and every day, worthy of the title Legend. He took the Phoenix Suns to heights only he could reach. RIP Hawk.
— Jeff Munn (@MunnyBall) October 7, 2017
