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Blaine Denning

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Blaine Denning
Denning as a senior at Lawrence Tech
Personal information
Born(1930-09-19)September 19, 1930
Fulton, Kentucky, U.S.
DiedJanuary 25, 2016(2016-01-25) (aged 85)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight175 lb (79 kg)
Career information
High schoolNorthern (Detroit, Michigan)
College Lawrence Tech (1949–1952)
NBA draft1952: 4th round
Selected by the Baltimore Bullets
PositionPoint guard
Career history
1952Harlem Globetrotters
1952–1953Elmira Colonels
1952Baltimore Bullets
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

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

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

College career

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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

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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

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA

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Source[10]

Regular season

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Year Team GP MPG FG% FT% RPG APG PPG
1952–53 Baltimore 1 9.0 .400 1.000 4.0 .0 5.0

References

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  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 (February 12, 1952). "Dennig's shooting defies defiance". Detroit Free Press. p. 18. Retrieved March 16, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  4. ^ Hal Schram (March 14, 1948). "Jackson, Saginaw stars top selections for '48 All-State squad". Detroit Free Press. p. C3. Retrieved March 16, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.Closed access icon
  5. ^ George Puscas (December 18, 1951). "Even Denning, maybe best in U.S. - Blue Devil Cagers unbeaten --- and unsung". Detroit Free Press. p. 22. Retrieved March 15, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  6. ^ a b "Blaine Denning Hall of Fame". Lawrence Technological University. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Bullets sign Detroit cager". The Baltimore Sun. July 18, 1952. p. 14. Retrieved March 27, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  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. April 10, 1952. p. 25. Retrieved March 15, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  10. ^ a b c "Blaine Denning NBA stats". Basketball Reference. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  11. ^ "Bullets Recall Denning". The Evening Sun. December 5, 1952. p. 44. Retrieved March 27, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  12. ^ "Bullets Cut Dunning". The Evening Sun. October 30, 1952. p. 44. Retrieved March 27, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  13. ^ "Decision Due On Lumpp". The Evening Sun. December 2, 1952. p. 36. Retrieved March 27, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  14. ^ "Scranton Bows To Manchester". Wilkes-Barre Record. December 6, 1952. p. 17. Retrieved March 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  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. September 20, 1953. p. 46. Retrieved March 15, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.Closed access icon
  17. ^ "Bullets drop 10 basketers". The Baltimore Sun. October 5, 1953. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.Closed access icon
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