Brooklyn Nets jersey history No. 53 - Darryl Dawkins (1982-87)

The Brooklyn Nets have 52 jersey numbers worn by over 600 different players over the course of their history since the franchise was founded in 1967 as a charter member of the American Basketball Association (ABA), when the team was known as the "New Jersey Americans".

Since then, that league has been absorbed by the NBA, with the team that would later become the New York Nets and New Jersey Nets before settling on the name by which they are known today, bringing their rich player and jersey history with them to the league of today.

To commemorate the players who played for the Nets over the decades wearing those 52 different jersey numbers, Nets Wire is covering the entire history of the franchise's jersey numbers and the players who sported them since the founding of the team.

Feb 6, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The general view of the scoreboard at the Wells Fargo Center for the Darryl Dawkins Tribute Night prior to the game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports

And for today's article, we will continue with the second of two people to wear the No. 53 jersey, big man alum Darryl Dawkins. After ending his high school career, Dawkins was picked up with the fifth overall selection of the 1975 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Orlando, Florida native played the first seven seasons of his pro career with Philly, coming to an end when he was dealt to the Nets in 1982. His stay with the team lasted until he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1987.

During his time suiting up for the Nets, Dawkins wore only jersey No. 53 and put up 14.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game.

All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.

This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets jersey history No. 53 - Darryl Dawkins (1982-87)