HOUSTON — Carroll Dawson, who served as both coach and general manager for the Houston Rockets, has died, according to a post on the team’s social media accounts.
Dawson, who became known as ‘CD,’ spent nearly three decades with the team. He’s the only member of the organization to be present for all four of the Rockets NBA Finals appearances, including the back-to-back titles in the 1990s.
Dawson was a big part of shaping the careers of Rockets legends Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson. He’s also responsible for bringing key talent to Houston, including Charles Barkley, Steve Francis, Clyde Drexler, Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady and putting together the Houston Comets of the WNBA, a team that won four consecutive titles.
“We will deeply miss his uplifting spirit, infectious humor, and kind-hearted nature,” said current Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta said in the post.
Fertitta also said Dawson will be honored alongside other Rockets legends with a banner at Toyota Center.
“On behalf of my family and the entire Rockets organization, we extend our heartfelt condolences to CD's wife, Sharon, and to all of his loved ones,” Fertitta said.
Dawson was 86.
