Atlanta Hawks: Former Hawks All-Star Dan Roundfield drowns in Aruba
Former Hawks All-Star Dan Roundfield drowned yesterday off the coast of Aruba.
According to reports, Roundfield’s wife became distressed while swimming off of Baby Beach and Roundfield tried to assist her. The Aruba Herald reported that witnesses saw the woman return to shore but that Roundfield was taken out to sea. Authorities found Roundfield’s body under some rocks, the Herald reported.
A police spokesman in Aruba told the Associated Press that Roundfield and his wife went beyond a protected reef area and got caught up in rough waters. The couple were vacationing at the Renaissance Resort.
“It’s a real tragedy,” the spokesman, John Larmonie, told the AP. “He drowned saving his wife.”
Roundfield’s sister-in-law, Julia Roundfield, also confirmed his death to the AP.
“He was a real sweet guy,” Julia Roundfield told the AP. “He really was a sweetheart.”
Roundfield’s survivors include his wife, Bernie, sons Corey and Christopher, and their grandchildren.
Roundfield, 59, played six seasons for the Hawks from 1978-79 to 1983-84. He was named to All-Star teams in 1980, ‘81 and ‘82 and was second-team All-NBA in 1979-80. Roundfield also was voted to the All-Defensive team in five of his 12 NBA seasons.
In a 2006 interview with the Hawks’ Web site, Roundfield said he worked in marketing for an environmental engineering company. He said his favorite NBA memories included making the playoffs in his first season with the Hawks and playing alongside Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins.
The 1978-79 Hawks, coached by Hubie Brown, earned the franchise’s first playoff series victory since 1969-70 by defeating Houston. The Hawks lost a seven-game series to the Washington Bullets in the conference semifinals; Roundfield, in the Website interview, said the Hawks “probably should have beat” the Bullets.
“Danny was the most honest and upfront person I knew, and I’m very stunned at hearing the news of his death,” Wilkins, now a Hawks vice president, said in a statement released by the team. “Danny’s one of my closest friends and he was a tremendous influence on my NBA career, on and off the court. He taught me how to be a professional and took me under his wing. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, I will truly miss him.”
Danny Solomon, a Hawks ball boy during Roundfield’s final season with the Hawks, said Roundfield still lived in the Atlanta area. Solomon said Roundfield was “the nicest dude in the world,” a personality that contrasted with his physical playing style.
“Strong as an ox,” Solomon said. “Back then, all the centers were very, very strong. That’s back when it was ‘real’ basketball and if you tried to go to the hole against a guy like Roundfield, you would go straight down to the floor. He was known for being really rough. He was a stud down low.”
The Cavaliers selected Roundfield in the second round of the 1975 draft after the Detroit native starred at Central Michigan University. The Hawks signed Roundfield as a free agent before the 1978-79 season. In the summer of 1984 Atlanta traded Roundfield to the Pistons for Cliff Levingston, Antoine Carr and two draft picks.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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299 comments Add your comment
Buddy Grizzard
August 7th, 2012
4:21 pm
Hard cap imposed on Hawks due to Lou Williams signing, may affect ability to retain Ivan Johnson:
http://www.hoopsworld.com/nba2-bulls-right-at-hard-cap/
PistolPete
August 7th, 2012
4:21 pm
That Bucks player in the photo is Dave Cowens, the former Celtic great.
Astro Joe
August 7th, 2012
4:23 pm
Sautee, I was thinking Mokeski but I didn’t think he had the “afro” thing going on back then.
Sautee
August 7th, 2012
4:29 pm
Yeah, it’s definitely Cowens. I forgot he went to the Bucks late in his career. I think of him exclusively as a Celtic.
'79 Hawks Fan
August 7th, 2012
4:36 pm
Many Saturday afternoons in my backyard in South GA, multiple wristbands were worn to emulate the great Dan Roundfield. This news made me very sad. He was a good man. My prayers go out for his family.
HCB
August 7th, 2012
4:42 pm
I loved the way we would block shots with his left hand and also I enjoyed watching him play very much. This is very sad news.
JESSE
August 7th, 2012
4:42 pm
MY.GOD.BE.WITH.YOU.ALL.RIP
Dejay
August 7th, 2012
4:44 pm
Hi-Side took the words off of my keyboard. A Hawks fan should hope, wish, dream, and pray that Smith and Horford produce and show the heart, effort, and toughness in the same manner that Roundfield did. How many times did he have to put the team on his back when Fast Eddie and John Drew would go on their drug binges?
Anyway, my condolences to the family. RIP, Rounds….
Astro Joe
August 7th, 2012
4:47 pm
Thanks. I remember Mokeski as being a statue (Jason Collins-like), even the offensive minded Nellie would not have asked Mokeski to defend Roundfield in space.
Buddy, yeah, once a team crosses the salary cap and uses their MLE, there isn’t much flexibility (if they don’t own a player’s Bird rights). But they have the trade exemption from the Willie Green trade to use if they want to acquire more talent (and stay under the luxury line). Dajuan Blair’s contract (as an example) is for a little over $1M. And Devin Ebanks was scheduled to make about $1M if he signed his QO. So the Hawks can easily acquire either of those players (Ebanks would require a S&T) using the Willie Green chip.
Scott Mathis
August 7th, 2012
4:50 pm
I hate to hear that. He was the star on the team when I started watching Hawks Basketball. My prayers are with the Roundfield family during this time.
Bluesman
August 7th, 2012
4:51 pm
I last saw Danny in Aruba 2 years ago. He turned me on to Baby Beach… So sad… RIP my friend…
Slimjr
August 7th, 2012
4:52 pm
I have been to Baby Beach several times:
It a very calm beautiful enclave that’s protected from the crashing waves by a barrier rocky reef! You are warned never to venture out beyond the reef or all bets are off! Just vicious pounding waves and under tows that never let up day and night due to the constant 15 knot trade winds blowing across the island! You are nothing more than a rag doll if you get caught up in the under tow and getting hammered by those crushing waves..Death is only a few seconds away..So Sad! RIP Dan!
What a hero to save the love of his life and give up his own!
Oh what a tragedy that his wife will have to live with for the rest of her life!!! Why did she go out there?
art
August 7th, 2012
4:53 pm
wow- what a brave guy. A very good player too. Godspeed
kj
August 7th, 2012
4:58 pm
We will miss you. One of my greatest Hawks player of all time.
Prudog
August 7th, 2012
5:02 pm
My favorite Hawk from my childhood.
chris
August 7th, 2012
5:04 pm
RIP Dan Roundfield..watched you growing up great player and person..sad day for Hawks Nation
Slimjr
August 7th, 2012
5:04 pm
longtimefamfriend
August 7th, 2012
2:00 pm
“To answer some of the questions. The Roundfield’s were vacationing in Aruba with their 2 grandsons and Dan’s sister. His wife was on a raft that was floating a little to far out, she cannot swim so Dan went to pull her back. Dan and his two grandsons, 7 and 5, were playing on the reef when he noticed his wife and went to the edge of the reef, when he arrived the rip tied pulled him under and he hit his head on the reef and was kept under, he somehow got stuck between rocks and seaweed, that is why it took longer to find him. No one else was hurt and all managed to return to shore safely. He is survived by his wife, two grown sons, and two grandsons. He will truly be missed.”
Oh, okay that answered my question…Oh man…….So sorry….
Dr. Thomas Coleman
August 7th, 2012
5:05 pm
Danny and i were such good friends. He was a wonderful friend and a true sports fan. He worked with me when i served as the Director of the Govornor’s Office of Highway Safety. He was the Highway Safety Spokesperson and a true hero to the high school students around the state
al davis
August 7th, 2012
5:06 pm
RIP
Hawkfan
August 7th, 2012
5:14 pm
Prayers to family..I loved to was him play, those were the days…RIP.
Everyone should stay out of Aruba. Nothing but trouble in that place.
heat check
August 7th, 2012
5:23 pm
He’s from before my NBA time, so I’m only familiar with the name, but he’ll evidently be remembered as a good guy and a tough player who went out a hero. Sad news all the same.
Sam Wash
August 7th, 2012
5:24 pm
Danny was a great friend. I remember seeing him play at “THE SAINT” in Detroit when I was a kid. He recently sent a check to help support our golf outing because he could not make it. RIP Big fella, God Bless
Big Chris
August 7th, 2012
5:26 pm
I remember him well. Was one of my favorites, as a child. R.I.P Dan. You will be missed.
Luke Cage
August 7th, 2012
5:26 pm
Condolences to his family. He gave his life so that his wife could live. In my eyes that makes him a hero in the truest sense of the word.
SWEET CHRISTMAS!!!
JacquieMX
August 7th, 2012
5:29 pm
Former Atlanta Hawks Superstar Drowns!~Is It Stereotype Or Can't Blacks Swim>? - Stormfront
August 7th, 2012
5:30 pm
[...] ULVER Atlanta Hawks: Former Hawks All-Star Dan Roundfield drowns in Aruba | Atlanta Hawks [...]
Slimjr
August 7th, 2012
5:44 pm
May GOD have mercy on you sons of of satan! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
JaeEvolution
August 7th, 2012
5:46 pm
The Hawks tried to acquire Howard last offseason, offering several different packages to the Magic. However, Orlando wasn’t ready to part ways with Howard and the talks didn’t go anywhere. HoopsWorld
The Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks have been mentioned as potential suitors for Dwight Howard in recent months, but there’s a dark horse to keep an eye on as this saga continues. If Howard becomes an unrestricted free agent next offseason, the Atlanta Hawks will aggressively pursue the six-time All-Star and try to lure the superstar center back to his hometown. HoopsWorld
On a sidenote I think it’s a real scumbag move for Dwight to duck out of his youth camp like he is doing. Is it really so hard to go and make some kids who really want to see you happy?
RIP Dan Roundfield
Slimjr
August 7th, 2012
5:47 pm
NewsFlash: D12 is coming home!! Book it Dano!
Stay tuned!
ZACK
August 7th, 2012
5:49 pm
R.I.P. MR. ROUNDFIELD. A CLASS ACT, GREAT GUY AND ONE OF THE FEW GREAT HAWKS IN THEIR HISTORY.
"Chef" Tim Dix
August 7th, 2012
5:51 pm
Roundfield v. Unsel. Real.
True Hawk fan
August 7th, 2012
5:55 pm
True hooper to the end, nver took a play off,much repect (RIP) big fellow.
lewisbuzzard
August 7th, 2012
5:57 pm
First off prayers to the family. When I think of Dan Roundfield I think about the heydey of Hawks basketball in Atlanta. I have never reached that kind of fervor for the Hawks or the NBA game again. Truly it is a game I don’t spend anytime with now but when Roundfield, Nique, fast Eddie and Tree were gracing the Omni it was a great era in Atlanta sports. Danny was one of my favorites because of his great effort every time he hit the court.
NUNNA!!
August 7th, 2012
6:05 pm
RIP Mr.Roundfield. May god be with your family,loved ones,close friends,and all of us fans who loved you.
Thanks for the memories!!
2 God Be The Glory!!
Rod from College Park
August 7th, 2012
6:15 pm
RIP Mr. Roundfield. I have many fond memories of you owning the glass when I was a young man. One of my favorite Hawks players of all times. You will truly be missed.
Bobby D.Nash
August 7th, 2012
6:18 pm
I always regarded Roundfield as a member of my All-Time Hawks Starting Five. We could sure use him now. A hero on the court that ended up as a hero in life. My condolences to his family.
BigTimeTECHFan
August 7th, 2012
6:22 pm
Sorry to hear, will miss hm. He lived next door to a good friend while I was in HS, had his shoes, wrist bands and stuff, was very very nice guy.
Also for those that did not see him play he was better then any player on this years USA team. That’s how good he was. Top of the key to dunk in one stride, some refs would call it walking but he didn’t
jalford
August 7th, 2012
6:26 pm
Thanks for the great memories. I was a small kid and had just moved here when I started watching all these guys play back in the day. Great, great memories!! R.I.P.
Sports Facts » Former NBA All-Star Roundfield Drowns in Aruba – ABC News
August 7th, 2012
6:33 pm
[...] seasons with Indiana, …Dan Roundfield Dead: Former NBA All-Star Drowns In ArubaHuffington PostAtlanta Hawks: Former Hawks All-Star Dan Roundfield drowns in ArubaAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Former NBA All-Star Roundfield Drowns While Swimming Off [...]
Harkle
August 7th, 2012
6:33 pm
Very sad. We named our family Labrador Retriever “Rounds” after Dan Roundfield. You could always count on Roundfield to give you his best every night. He was a lot of fun to watch.
gcs
August 7th, 2012
6:40 pm
That is sad. Danny was one of the great Hawks of my childhood: Tree Rollins, John Drew, Tom McMillen, Charlie Criss, Mike Glenn, Steve Hawes…
R.I.P. Big Man
an old fan
August 7th, 2012
6:47 pm
Such a tragedy. I grew up watching him as a little girl. RIP
Thrashers fan!
August 7th, 2012
6:50 pm
RIP
David Granger
August 7th, 2012
6:52 pm
Hell of a shame…Rounds was a great one. He was always under-rated a bit, because he was quiet…didn’t force his shots (which was a good thing, since we had John Drew on the team)…but could score from anywhere. Great leaper, tough defender and the best rebounding forward in the league. (Although Truck Robinson was every bit as good…you could flip a coin between the two.)
He was also a good representative for the team in the community…always willing to go and talk to kids or visit hospitals. I’m sure sorry to hear this sad news.
Bob L
August 7th, 2012
7:02 pm
Wow, I hate to hear this. He and Pistol Pete were my favorite hawks of all time.
Bob L
August 7th, 2012
7:03 pm
Also, a very brave and gallant way to go, attempting to save his wife.
poopdawg
August 7th, 2012
7:17 pm
Sad story but a great character and hero. A life spent trying to make a difference. My prayers to the family.
Remembering Roundfield
August 7th, 2012
7:29 pm
As you can tell by the moniker, he has always been my favorite Hawk. I can appreciate the fact that he died saving his wife’s life. “Greater love hath no man that he would lay down his life for his friend.” He remains an inspiration to those knew him. Let’s continue to pray for his family.
You already know.
August 7th, 2012
7:40 pm
Dan was a very good player. If I remember correctly Dan played with John Drew, Tree Rollins, hes played with Pistol Pete and Sweet lou.
Dan had no problem going to the rack and could also hit a jumper. He was an old school player and not to Unlike Josh in many ways. He was a player and a leader. A man of substance and quality.
I wish there was more like him. I sorry to hear of his death. God Speed to him and his family.
ron
August 7th, 2012
7:59 pm
In six years he’s still one of the better forwards to have worn a hawks uniform.