Skip to main content Search this website
Closed Easter Sunday, 3/31
1-877-4-HOOPLA
Mobile navigation toggle icon
Photo of Zelmo Beaty

Zelmo Beaty

Zelmo Beaty earned the respect of basketball’s giants for his physical play and relentless effort. Beaty was the type of player every man wanted on his team for his toughness and his willingness to do whatever was needed to ensure victory. The undersized center’s journey started at Prairie View A&M, a tiny NAIA school located outside of Houston, Texas. There he led the team to the 1962 NAIA national championship and while many overlooked him for the NBA Draft because he attended a small school, he was chosen third overall by the St. Louis Hawks in the 1962 draft. Beaty was a two-time NBA All-Star for the St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks. He then moved onto the ABA in 1970 where he became a star averaging 22.9 points per game while grabbing 15.7 rebounds for the Utah Stars his first season. He helped the Stars win the ABA championship that season and was named playoff MVP. In an era of big centers and even bigger hair, Beaty proved that flash and style mattered less than hard work and winning.

Enshrined

2016

Born

October 25, 1939 Hillister, TX

Died

August 27, 2013

College

Praire View A&M University

Professional Career

Atlanta Hawks LA Lakers St. Louis Hawks Utah Stars

Career Stats

3x ABA All-Star
1971, 1972, 1973
2x NBA All-Star
1966, 1968
1971 ABA Championship
Utah Stars