Blaine Denning
Height6 ft
Height in2
Weight lb175
Birth dateSeptember 19, 1930
Birth placeFulton, Kentucky, U.S.
Death dateJanuary 25, 2016 (aged 85)
Death placeDetroit, Michigan, U.S.
High schoolNorthern (Detroit, Michigan)
College

Lawrence Tech (1949–1952)

Draft year1952
Draft round4
Draft teamBaltimore Bullets
Years 11952
Team 1Harlem Globetrotters
Years 21952–1953
Team 2Elmira Colonels
Team 3Baltimore Bullets
Highlights
Stats leagueNBA
Stat1labelPoints
Stat1value5 (5.0 ppg)
Stat2labelRebounds
Stat2value4 (4.0 rpg)

Blaine Denning Sr. (born Blaine Mitchell Jr.;[1] September 19, 1930 – January 25, 2016[2]) was an American professional basketball player. He played college basketball at Lawrence Technological University and was inducted into their athletic hall of fame. He played professionally for the Harlem Globetrotters, Elmira Colonels of the American Basketball League, and Baltimore Bullets of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

High school career

Denning attended Northern High School in Detroit, Michigan,[3] where he was an All-State second team player in 1948.[4]

College career

Denning played college basketball for the Lawrence Tech Blue Devils[5] from 1949 to 1952. He was the team's leading scorer during the 1950–51 season.[6] Denning had his best season in 1951–52 as a senior, when he scored 589 points in 28 games, averaging 21 points per game. He helped lead the Blue Devils to the semifinals of the 1952 NAIA tournament.[7] He was inducted into the Lawrence Tech Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011, and his number 14 was retired by the team.[6][8]

Professional career

In April 1952, Denning played for the Harlem Globetrotters.[9] Later in the same month, he was selected in the 1952 NBA draft by the Baltimore Bullets.[10][7] He was unable to showcase his skills beyond a few exhibition games.[11] Although he was waived by the Bullets two days before the opening of their 1952–53 season,[12] Denning was reinstated to their negotiation list after going unclaimed.[13] He played for the Elmira Colonels of the American Basketball League until he was recalled by the Bullets.[14] He played just one game for the Bullets in December 1952; he scored five points and grabbed four rebounds.[10][15]

In September 1953, Denning was invited to tryout for the Bullets,[16] but in beginning of October, he was released along with nine other players.[17]

Career statistics

NBA

Source[10]

Regular season

YearTeamGPMPGFG%FT%RPGAPGPPG
Baltimore19.0.4001.0004.0.05.0

References

  1. ^ Markowski, Tom (January 27, 2016). "Former Globetrotter, Detroit prep and Lawrence Tech star dies". State Champs! Sports Network. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  2. ^ "Blaine Denning, Sr.". Swanson Funeral Homes. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  3. ^ George Puscas (12 February 1952). "Dennig's shooting defies defiance". Detroit Free Press. p. 18. Retrieved 16 March 2022. – via Newspapers.com
  4. ^ Hal Schram (14 March 1948). "Jackson, Saginaw stars top selections for '48 All-State squad". Detroit Free Press. p. C3. Retrieved 16 March 2022. – via Newspapers.com
  5. ^ George Puscas (18 December 1951). "Even Denning, maybe best in U.S. - Blue Devil Cagers unbeaten --- and unsung". Detroit Free Press. p. 22. Retrieved 15 March 2022. – via Newspapers.com
  6. ^ "Blaine Denning Hall of Fame". Lawrence Technological University. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  7. ^ "Bullets sign Detroit cager". The Baltimore Sun. July 18, 1952. p. 14. Retrieved March 27, 2022. – via Newspapers.com
  8. ^ "LTU REVIVES BASKETBALL TRADITION". Southfield City Centre. November 1, 2012. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  9. ^ "Denning to play with pro Trotters". Detroit Free Press. 10 April 1952. p. 25. Retrieved 15 March 2022. – via Newspapers.com
  10. ^ "Blaine Denning NBA stats". Basketball Reference. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  11. ^ "Bullets Recall Denning". The Evening Sun. December 5, 1952. p. 44. Retrieved March 27, 2022. – via Newspapers.com
  12. ^ "Bullets Cut Dunning". The Evening Sun. October 30, 1952. p. 44. Retrieved March 27, 2022. – via Newspapers.com
  13. ^ "Decision Due On Lumpp". The Evening Sun. December 2, 1952. p. 36. Retrieved March 27, 2022. – via Newspapers.com
  14. ^ "Scranton Bows To Manchester". Wilkes-Barre Record. December 6, 1952. p. 17. Retrieved March 26, 2022. – via Newspapers.com
  15. ^ Hudson, David L. (2005). "They Played in One Pro Game". Basketball's Most Wanted™ II: The Top 10 Book of More Hotshot Hoopsters, Double Dribbles, and Roundball Oddities. Potomac Book. ISBN 9781612340401. Retrieved March 27, 2022. – via Google Books.
  16. ^ "Coach greets Bullets here". The Baltimore Sun. 20 September 1953. p. 46. Retrieved 15 March 2022. – via Newspapers.com
  17. ^ "Bullets drop 10 basketers". The Baltimore Sun. 5 October 1953. p. 17. – via Newspapers.com