Last Updated on July 28, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Dennis Awtrey was a rugged NBA center whose rebounding, interior defense, and physical screen setting made him a dependable frontcourt contributor for the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls, and Seattle SuperSonics during the 1970s. Known for doing the dirty work, Awtrey filled a valuable role as a team-first defensive big man who complemented higher-scoring teammates with toughness, effort, and reliable paint protection.

Here is the detailed information about Dennis Awtrey, a former NBA player:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Dennis Wade Awtrey
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born on February 22, 1948
  • Hometown: Hollywood, California, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 10 inches (208 cm)
  • Weight: 235 pounds (107 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 11 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 17 (US)
  • Number: Wore jersey numbers 23, 25, 31, 18, and 50
  • Position: Center / Power Forward
  • High School: Blackford High School in San Jose, California
  • College: Santa Clara University (1966–1970)
  • NBA Draft: Selected in the 3rd round (39th overall pick) in the 1970 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers
  • Teams Played For:
    • Philadelphia 76ers (1970–1972)
    • Chicago Bulls (1972–1974)
    • Phoenix Suns (1974–1978)
    • Boston Celtics (1978)
    • Seattle SuperSonics (1978–1981)
    • Portland Trail Blazers (1981–1982)
  • Championship Rings: None in the NBA
  • Kids: Not publicly available
  • Siblings: Not publicly available

Player Archetype / Play Style

Dennis Awtrey’s player archetype was that of a rugged, old-school defensive center, a 6-foot-10, 235-pound big whose value came from size, strength, rebounding, screens, and physical interior play more than refined scoring skill. Defensively, he filled the role of a bruising paint anchor who battled opposing centers, protected space with positioning, and brought a hard-nosed edge to the middle. Offensively, his role was limited and practical: finish close to the basket, keep the ball moving, set sturdy picks, and do the interior work that helped more skilled scorers operate around him. His overall play style was tough, blue-collar, and highly physical, fitting the mold of a dependable rotational center who gave teams grit, frontcourt resistance, and a willingness to do the dirty work. (Basketball Reference)

Scouting Report

Dennis Awtrey was the sort of centre who understood exactly what he was and never drifted away from it. There was very little wasted movement in his game. Offensively, he concentrated on creating advantages before the ball ever reached him, setting firm screens that freed guards, establishing early post position and diving straight to the front of the rim rather than floating into awkward mid-range areas. His touches were usually quick—a catch, one decisive move, then a finish or a simple kick-out if the defence collapsed. What stands out is how willing he was to do the work that never appeared in a scoring summary. He’d lean on opposing bigs for an entire possession, forcing them to fight for every inch of space, which often left them a step late helping against penetration. Defensively, Awtrey preferred to win possessions with body position instead of recovery athleticism. He met post players before they caught the ball, boxed out with real force and stayed disciplined in drop coverage, retreating just enough to discourage the drive without giving the roller an uncontested lane. He wasn’t an explosive shot blocker, but he made finishes uncomfortable simply by arriving early and making opponents shoot over a solid frame. The trade-off came whenever the game became faster and more spread out. Stretching him into repeated pick-and-rolls away from the basket or asking him to switch onto smaller guards exposed limitations in his foot speed, and he wasn’t the type to recover once he lost that initial angle. To me, Awtrey fit best alongside active forwards who could cover ground defensively while allowing him to anchor the paint, rebound through contact and provide physical screening that gave perimeter scorers extra breathing room. His game shared a lot with Steve Stipanovich’s commitment to interior fundamentals, though with less offensive polish, and there were echoes of Tom Boerwinkle in the way he valued positioning, screening and control over individual statistics or highlight plays.

Sources:

Basketball-Reference — Dennis Awtrey Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
Legends of Basketball — Dennis Awtrey
Santa Clara University Athletics — Dennis Awtrey ’70
NBA.com — Dennis Awtrey | Center | Phoenix Suns