Byron Beck

Byron Beck (born January 25, 1945) is an American former professional basketball player. He played nine combined seasons in the American Basketball Association (ABA) and National Basketball Association (NBA), all for the Denver Nuggets.

A 6 foot 9 inch forward/center from the University of Denver, Beck was one of six players (along with Louie Dampier, Gerald Govan, Bob Netolicky, Stew Johnson, and Freddie Lewis) who participated in all nine seasons (1967–1976) of the original American Basketball Association (ABA). Beck and Dampier would also be the only two players who would stay with the franchise that originally drafted them throughout the entire existence of the ABA before the ABA–NBA merger occurred, with Beck being the only player to stay with the team in question following the completed merger into the NBA. He played for the Denver Rockets, who later became the Denver Nuggets. Beck was not blessed with superior athleticism, but he was a hard worker known for his tenacious rebounding and efficient hook shot. He represented Denver in two ABA All-Star Games (1969 and 1976, the latter year having the Denver Nuggets franchise going up against the rest of the ABA's All-Stars that year).

Beck also played one season in the National Basketball Association (NBA) after the Nuggets joined the NBA through the ABA–NBA merger in 1976, and he retired in 1977 with 8,603 career ABA/NBA points and 5,261 career rebounds. On December 16, 1977, he became the first player in the Denver franchise to have his jersey number (#40) retired. In 1981, Beck was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame.

After retiring from professional basketball, Beck moved to Kennewick, Washington where he worked as an engineer.

Career statistics

ABA/NBA Source

Regular season

Playoffs Year Team GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG