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]
^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. ISBN9781612340401. Retrieved March 27, 2022 – via Google Books.
