Byron Beck

Ht. 6-9
Wt. 235
College - Denver
ABA Team: Denver (1967-68 through 1975-76)

First player signed by the Denver Rockets/Nuggets franchise. Along with Louie Dampier, the only ABA player to remain with the same franchise (Denver) the entire nine-year existence of the ABA. Played one NBA season with Denver (1976-77). One of only three ABA originals (along with Dampier and Freddie Lewis) to play in the NBA. Rockets/Nuggets number two all-time ABA scorer, with 8,353 points. Denver starter for seven seasons from 1969 through 1975, averaging double figures each of those years. Veteran of seven ABA playoffs for Rockets/Nuggets with 13.9 scoring average. Performed in two ABA All-Star Games (1968-69 & 1975-76), scoring 14 points in each game.

From Jim O'Brien's 1972-73 Complete Handbook of Pro Basketball:
He came with the franchise. A favorite in Denver where he played college ball . . . Not quick, but compensates with all-out hustle . . . Starting center in second ABA All-Star Game . . . Became one of the better centers in the ABA after switching positions with Spencer Haywood in 69-70 . . . Topped team by hitting 50.6% from the floor in 71-72, just missing making the top ten in the ABA in that category . . . Terrific free throw shooter (hit 140 of 166 shots for 84.3%) but doesn't go to line often enough to rate with ABA league leaders . . . Workhorse of club from very beginning, playing more games and minutes than anyone else . . . Was a second round draft choice of Denver and Chicago Bulls in 1967 . . . After Julie Hammond was cut from payroll in 1972, Beck was the original Rocket to remain with the team . . . Sometimes too reluctant to shoot, and has to be urged to do so . . . Has accurate hook shot with either hand and nice turnaround jumper . . . Tough under basket

GP Min FGM FGA FG% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% TReb AST PF Dq Pnts RPG APG
PPG
Career ABA Totals 694 18717 3574 7049 .507 13 44 .295 1192 1471 .810 5165 945 2208 36 8353 7.4 1.4 12.0
ABA Playoff Totals 61 1761 343 728 .471 2 10 .200 152 186 .817 479 81 215 1 840 7.9 1.3 13.8
ABA All-Star Totals 2 47 13 24 .542 0 0 .000 2 2 1.000 14 1 6 0 28 7.0 0.5 14.0

Byron Beck was the very first Denver Rockets/Nuggets player to have his uniform number (#40) retired. The ceremony took place at halftime of a Nuggets/Washington Bullets game on December 16, 1977 (above). Carl Scheer, Larry Brown, Dan Issel, David Thompson and Denver Mayor Bill McNichols spoke about Beck's career and presented Beck with numerous Nuggets/ABA mementos. A banner with Beck's name and number currently hangs in the rafters of the Pepsi Center (along with David Thompson, Dan Issel and Alex English).

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