• ABL (American Basketball League): At ~19 years old, he played with the Pittsburgh Rens, won the ABL MVP (1962) and made All-ABL First Team.

• Harlem Globetrotters: Spent several years touring with them; this was during the time his NBA prospects were blocked.

• ABA (American Basketball Association) with the Pittsburgh Pipers (and later Minnesota Pipers / Condors):

  • In the inaugural ABA season (1967-68), he led the Pipers to the ABA Championship.

  • He was ABA MVP that season, and also Playoffs MVP.

  • He made All-ABA First Team in both of his ABA seasons.

NBA

• After a lawsuit, his NBA ban was lifted, and he joined the Phoenix Suns in 1969.

• His rookie NBA season (1969-70) was very strong: he made the All-NBA First Team right away.

• He was a 4-time NBA All-Star (1970–73) while with the Suns.

• Overall NBA career stats: about 16.5 points per game, ~8 rebounds, ~4 assists.

Legacy & Honors

• His playing style—above the rim, athletic, acrobatic—helped pioneer what’s come to define modern basketball, influencing players like Julius Erving and even Michael Jordan.

• His number 42 has been retired by the Phoenix Suns.

• Inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992.

• Named to the ABA All-Time Team.

I love these Sweet Shots autographs! They present so well, and it’s like having an autographed basketball in the palm of your hand. Connie Hawkins, the All-Star that played college ball for the university of Iowa, had great success in the NBA. Unfortunately, he got caught up in some scandals, which limited his Impact at the NBA level. Still, he set the stage for Dr. J, and then later Dominique Wilkins and Michael Jordan with his high flying, acrobatic, amazing physicality that he brought to basketball. You can find his autographs for a very reasonable price, and I love how he signed this “Hawk 42”, clearly his nickname.

The Hawk

This was a RAK from a wonderful group of people.