ATLANTA -- Former St. Louis and Atlanta Hawks center Zelmo Beaty was named yesterday as one of 10 members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2016. Elected via the Veteran’s Committee, Beaty will be posthumously honored September 8-10, 2016 during this year’s Enshrinement festivities in Springfield, MA.
Nicknamed “Big Z,” Beaty was a Hawk from 1962-69 (including two All-Star appearances), and in his seven seasons with the organization, averaged 17.4 points, 11.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 34.2 minutes. He also played for the Utah Stars of the ABA (where he won a championship and Playoffs MVP in 1971) and the LA Lakers.