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Denver Nuggets: 25 Best Players To Play For The Nuggets

By Phil Watson

Mar 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the Denver Nuggets logo on the floor prior to the game between the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the Denver Nuggets logo on the floor prior to the game between the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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APR 28 1976, APR 29 1976; Byron Beck - Groups; Denver Nuggets; The old Veteran - Can't hold back his joy as he embraces Louis Dampier. At end of game.; (Photo By John Sunderland/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
APR 28 1976, APR 29 1976; Byron Beck – Groups; Denver Nuggets; The old Veteran – Can’t hold back his joy as he embraces Louis Dampier. At end of game.; (Photo By John Sunderland/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

1967-77. Byron Beck. 23. player. 73. <strong>How acquired: </strong>Fifth-round pick, 1967 ABA Draft.. C-PF

The Denver Rockets landed a local rookie out of the University of Denver for their inaugural season when they signed fifth-round pick Byron Beck.

Undersized a bit, Beck banged with the best of them despite playing center for much of his career at just 6-foot-9 and 225 pounds.

DEN_23_BECK
DEN_23_BECK /

Beck was an All-Star twice with the Rockets and Nuggets, finishing third in the ABA in field-goal percentage in 1969-70, third in free-throw percentage in 1970-71 and fifth in rebounding in 1968-69.

He was with the team throughout its time in the ABA and moved to the NBA with the franchise in 1976 before he was waived in October 1977.

In 10 years with the franchise, Beck averaged 11.5 points, seven rebounds and 1.3 assists in 25.7 minutes per game, shooting .505/.295/.811.

He signed with the Rockets despite being selected in the second round of the 1967 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls.

Beck is second in ABA history with 694 games, 14th with 18,717 minutes played, eighth with 5,165 rebounds, 20th with 8,353 points and 16th with a field-goal percentage of .507.

In December 1977, Beck became the first player in franchise history to have his number retired when his No. 40 was raised to the rafters.

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