10. Connie “The Hawk” Hawkins
Connie Hawkins’ story is a fascinating one, and in today’s climate of heightened awareness around systemic racism, his basketball journey in the 1960s is one basketball fans should study.
When Hawkins was first allowed to play in the NBA, thankfully it was the expansion Phoenix Suns who obtained the rights to sign him, where he immediately became a star.
The nickname “Hawk” is great because not only is it a play off his surname, it is also a fierce predator who soars over everyone and strikes with impunity, which is exactly how Hawkins played.
He earned the MVP of the ABA, was the best player in any given game at Rucker Park, toured with the Harlem Globetrotters, and led the expansion Suns with 24.6 points per game. The man really was an absolute hawk.