ATLANTA, GA (March 24, 2015) – Dominique Wilkins, The Human Highlight Film, is forever immortalized outside Philips Arena in the midst of one of his signature windmill dunks.
Led by a collaboration of master sculptor Brian Hanlon, Atlanta businessman Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., and the Atlanta Hawks organization, this deserved and awe-inspiring statue was unveiled at a private luncheon located at center court attended by over 400 guests.
Those in attendance included, NBA commissioner Adam Silver, basketball legends Julius Erving, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Bernard King, Clyde Drexler , Kevin Willis and Dikembe Mutombo, the 2015-16 Atlanta Hawks coaching staff and team, former heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield, comedian/actor Chris Tucker, Atlanta Hawks owners Michael Gearon Sr., Michael Gearon Jr., Rutherford Seydel, CEO Steve Koonin, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, councilman Cesar Mitchell, and the Fulton County Commissioner John Eaves.
Video messages from Larry Bird, Bob Pettit, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson were shown during the ceremony.
Hanlon, Official Sculptor at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, said, “I’ve been fortunate to call ‘Nique my good friend for almost 10 years. To bring this monument to life in downtown Atlanta for eternity is one of the signature moments of my career. I feel blessed to be able to provide this inspiration of ‘Nique for his family, the Hawks organization, the NBA, and most importantly the people of Atlanta.”
“The greatest memories in my career were representing Atlanta in a Hawks uniform,” said Wilkins. “This city embraced me and has shown me unconditional love. I proudly poured my heart and soul, blood, sweat and tears into this community. Atlanta will forever be my home.”
‘Nique was one of the most entertaining basketball players to ever take the court and is the Atlanta Hawks all-time leading scorer, a nine-time NBA All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, and two-time NBA Slam Dunk champion. He amassed 26,668 career points and was the NBA scoring leader in 1985-86 with 30.3 ppg.
The 12-foot tall bronze statue is mounted on 4-foot tall custom-designed and engraved granite base and has a combined weight of nearly 20,000 pounds.
The statue and granite base were designed and created by Hanlon Sculpture Studio.
Additional pictures of the monument can be found at the following link: Dominique Wilkins Statue
ABOUT HANLON SCULPTURE STUDIO
Brian P. Hanlon is a classically-trained master sculptor and founder of Hanlon Sculpture Studio; a full-service art studio that designs, creates, and installs awe-inspiring and signature monuments featuring bronze, aluminum, stainless steel and granite sculptures, illustrative and informational graphics, and interactive kiosks.
Hanlon Sculpture Studio provides complete site design services from sculptures to hard and softscapes, and offers total project management from design to installation and unveiling. In collaboration with administrative and athletic staff at colleges and universities, the studio develops the scope of artwork projects that are designed to enhance the spirit, pride and tradition of athletics and the campus community.