Report: NBA legend Darryl Dawkins dies

Former NBA player Darryl Dawkins, shown here in March, was one of the most colorful characters in league history thanks to his thunderous dunks. Photo: Cindy Ord, Getty Images / 2015 Getty Images

Darryl Dawkins, one of the most colorful characters in NBA history, has died, according to a television report out of the Philadelphia area.

WFMZ, an Allentown, Pa., TV station, reported that Dawkins died Thursday, citing a source. He was 58.

In 1975, Dawkins became the first player drafted directly from high school to the NBA. He played 15 years in the league with Philadelphia, New Jeresy, Utah and Detroit. The bulk of Dawkins' success came with the 76ers, with whom he started his career and spent…