Last Updated on November 24, 2025 by Mat Diekhake
League Search Page > NBA > Denver Nuggets > Roster & Statistics
Here is the Denver Nuggets 1980–81 NBA Season roster and regular season player statistics.
Team: Denver Nuggets (1980–81 NBA Season)
Roster
| No. | Player | Pos | Ht | Wt | Birth Date | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carl Nicks | G | 6-1 | 175 | Oct 6, 1958 | Indiana State |
| 10 | James Wilkes | F | 6-7 | 195 | Apr 1, 1958 | UCLA |
| 11 | Mike Evans | G | 6-1 | 175 | Apr 19, 1955 | Kansas State |
| 14 | Bill Hanzlik | G/F | 6-7 | 185 | Dec 6, 1957 | Notre Dame |
| 20 | Anthony Roberts | F | 6-6 | 195 | Apr 15, 1955 | Oral Roberts |
| 21 | Glen Gondrezick | F | 6-6 | 205 | Aug 30, 1953 | UNLV |
| 22 | David Thompson | G/F | 6-4 | 195 | Jul 13, 1954 | NC State |
| 23 | Bo Ellis | F | 6-9 | 200 | Aug 8, 1954 | Marquette |
| 32 | T.R. Dunn | G/F | 6-4 | 192 | Feb 1, 1955 | Alabama |
| 40 | Rich Kelley | C | 7-0 | 235 | Mar 23, 1953 | Stanford |
| 44 | Dan Issel | C/F | 6-9 | 235 | Oct 25, 1948 | Kentucky |
| 52 | George Johnson | C | 6-11 | 205 | Dec 18, 1948 | Stephen F. Austin |
1980-81 Regular Season Per Game
| Player | Pos | Age | G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TO | FGA | FG% | 3PA | 3P% | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex English | SF | 27 | 81 | – | 38.2 | 23.8 | 8.0 | 3.6 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 3.0 | 19.2 | .494 | 0.1 | .600 | 5.7 | .850 |
| David Thompson | SG | 26 | 77 | – | 34.0 | 25.5 | 3.7 | 3.0 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 3.2 | 18.8 | .506 | 0.5 | .256 | 8.0 | .795 |
| Dan Issel | C | 32 | 80 | – | 33.0 | 21.9 | 8.5 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 15.3 | .503 | 0.2 | .167 | 8.6 | .759 |
| Kiki Vandeweghe | SF | 22 | 51 | – | 27.0 | 11.5 | 5.3 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 10.5 | .426 | 0.1 | .000 | 3.1 | .818 |
| Dave Robisch | C | 31 | 73 | – | 23.9 | 10.4 | 5.7 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 8.8 | .456 | 0.0 | – | 2.9 | .810 |
| Kenny Higgs | PG | 26 | 72 | – | 23.5 | 7.8 | 2.0 | 5.7 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 2.3 | 6.6 | .441 | 0.5 | .118 | 2.4 | .814 |
| Cedrick Hordges | PF | 24 | 68 | – | 23.5 | 8.4 | 6.7 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 1.8 | 7.1 | .460 | 0.0 | .000 | 2.7 | .699 |
| John Roche | PG | 31 | 26 | – | 23.5 | 8.9 | 1.4 | 5.4 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 6.9 | .458 | 1.0 | .333 | 3.0 | .753 |
| Billy McKinney | PG | 25 | 49 | – | 23.1 | 10.7 | 2.2 | 4.1 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 1.8 | 8.4 | .493 | 0.2 | .100 | 2.9 | .843 |
| Kim Hughes | C | 28 | 8 | – | 19.9 | 2.9 | 6.3 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 3.1 | .440 | 0.0 | – | 0.3 | .500 |
| Carl Nicks | PG | 22 | 27 | – | 18.3 | 6.1 | 1.8 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 2.3 | 5.5 | .436 | 0.0 | .000 | 2.2 | .593 |
| T.R. Dunn | SG | 25 | 82 | – | 17.4 | 4.5 | 3.7 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 4.3 | .412 | 0.0 | .000 | 1.5 | .653 |
| Glen Gondrezick | PF | 25 | 73 | – | 14.8 | 5.8 | 4.2 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 4.5 | .471 | 0.0 | .000 | 1.9 | .818 |
| James Ray | PF | 23 | 18 | – | 8.2 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 2.7 | .306 | 0.1 | .000 | 0.6 | .700 |
| Jawann Oldham | C | 23 | 4 | – | 5.3 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.5 | .333 | 0.0 | – | 0.0 | – |
| Ronnie Valentine | SF | 23 | 24 | – | 5.1 | 3.5 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 4.1 | .378 | 0.1 | .500 | 0.8 | .474 |
| Team Totals | – | – | 82 | – | 243.4 | 121.8 | 46.6 | 24.8 | 8.8 | 4.6 | 17.6 | 97.1 | .475 | 1.8 | .207 | 37.2 | .783 |
1980-81 Regular Season Totals
| Player | Pos | Age | GP | GS | Min | Pts | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | FGA | FGM | 3PA | 3PM | FTA | FTM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex English | SF | 27 | 81 | – | 3093 | 1929 | 646 | 290 | 106 | 100 | 241 | 1555 | 768 | 5 | 3 | 459 | 390 |
| Dan Issel | C | 32 | 80 | – | 2641 | 1749 | 676 | 158 | 83 | 53 | 130 | 1220 | 614 | 12 | 2 | 684 | 519 |
| David Thompson | SG | 26 | 77 | – | 2620 | 1967 | 287 | 231 | 53 | 60 | 250 | 1451 | 734 | 39 | 10 | 615 | 489 |
| Dave Robisch | C | 31 | 73 | – | 1744 | 757 | 414 | 129 | 30 | 28 | 69 | 642 | 293 | 0 | 0 | 211 | 171 |
| Kenny Higgs | PG | 26 | 72 | – | 1689 | 562 | 145 | 408 | 101 | 6 | 166 | 474 | 209 | 34 | 4 | 172 | 140 |
| Cedrick Hordges | PF | 24 | 68 | – | 1599 | 572 | 458 | 104 | 33 | 19 | 120 | 480 | 221 | 3 | 0 | 186 | 130 |
| T.R. Dunn | SG | 25 | 82 | – | 1427 | 371 | 301 | 81 | 66 | 29 | 56 | 354 | 146 | 2 | 0 | 121 | 79 |
| Kiki Vandeweghe | SF | 22 | 51 | – | 1376 | 588 | 270 | 94 | 29 | 24 | 86 | 537 | 229 | 7 | 0 | 159 | 130 |
| Billy McKinney | PG | 25 | 49 | – | 1134 | 525 | 110 | 203 | 61 | 7 | 88 | 412 | 203 | 10 | 1 | 140 | 118 |
| Glen Gondrezick | PF | 25 | 73 | – | 1077 | 422 | 307 | 83 | 91 | 20 | 69 | 329 | 155 | 2 | 0 | 137 | 112 |
| John Roche | PG | 31 | 26 | – | 611 | 231 | 37 | 140 | 17 | 8 | 52 | 179 | 82 | 27 | 9 | 77 | 58 |
| Carl Nicks | PG | 22 | 27 | – | 493 | 165 | 49 | 80 | 28 | 2 | 63 | 149 | 65 | 1 | 0 | 59 | 35 |
| Kim Hughes | C | 28 | 8 | – | 159 | 23 | 50 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 11 | 25 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| James Ray | PF | 23 | 18 | – | 148 | 37 | 37 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 49 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 7 |
| Ronnie Valentine | SF | 23 | 24 | – | 123 | 84 | 30 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 16 | 98 | 37 | 2 | 1 | 19 | 9 |
| Jawann Oldham | C | 23 | 4 | – | 21 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Team Totals | – | – | 82 | – | 19955 | 9986 | 3822 | 2030 | 720 | 380 | 1432 | 7960 | 3784 | 145 | 30 | 3051 | 2388 |
Team Impact Index
| Player Name | Role Tier | MPG | Usage Tier | PPG | RPG | APG | STK (SPG + BPG) | Impact Index* | Notes | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Thompson | Primary Scoring Wing | 34.0 | High Usage (scorer + playmaker) | 25.5 | 3.7 | 3.0 | 1.5 (0.7 + 0.8) | (25.5 + 3.7 + 3.0 + 1.5)/2 ≈ 16.85 | Thompson was the engine of Denver’s offense—fresh from the ABA, he led the team in scoring and shouldered much of the creation load. His scoring and playmaking made him the focal point. | All-NBA First Team in 1976–77. |
| Dan Issel | Interior Power | 33.0 | Medium Usage (scoring, rebounding) | 21.9 | 8.5 | 2.0 | 1.7 (1.0 + 0.7) | (21.9 + 8.5 + 2.0 + 1.7)/2 ≈ 17.05 | A rugged, durable big — Issel provided steady scoring, rebounding, and veteran presence. In ’76-77, he was a reliable inside threat, anchoring the frontcourt. | All-Star (per Basketbal Reference) |
| Alex English | Secondary Scoring Forward / Complement | 38.2 | Medium Usage (scoring) | 23.8 | 8.0 | 3.6 | 2.5 (1.3 + 1.2) | (23.8 + 8.0 + 3.6 + 2.5)/2 ≈ 18.0 | English was a highly efficient midrange scorer. While not the primary creator, his volume and consistency made him incredibly valuable. He may have been more of a “finisher” in this system. | (No major individual NBA awards this season) |
| Kiki Vandeweghe | Young Scoring Wing / Role Growth | 27.0 | Medium Usage (scoring) | 11.5 | 5.3 | 1.8 | 1.1 (0.6 + 0.5) | (11.5 + 5.3 + 1.8 + 1.1)/2 ≈ 9.85 | At just 22, Vandeweghe showed promise: scoring off the bench, stretching the floor, and contributing in multiple facets. His usage suggests a developing role rather than a primary one. | — |
| Dave Robisch | Reserve Big / Backup 5 | 23.9 | Low–Medium Usage | 10.4 | 5.7 | 1.8 | 0.8 (0.4 + 0.4) | (10.4 + 5.7 + 1.8 + 0.8)/2 ≈ 9.35 | Robisch provided reliable minutes behind Issel, giving the Nuggets solid interior depth. Not a primary focal point, but an important role player. | — |
| Kenny Higgs | Backup Playmaker | 23.5 | Medium Usage (assists + scoring) | 7.8 | 2.0 | 5.7 | 1.5 (1.4 + 0.1) | (7.8 + 2.0 + 5.7 + 1.5)/2 ≈ 8.5 | As the backup point guard, Higgs contributed a decent amount of creation and some scoring. He filled in to orchestrate off the bench. | — |
| Cedrick Hordges | Energy Forward / Stretch Role | 23.5 | Low Usage | 8.4 | 6.7 | 1.5 | 0.8 (0.5 + 0.3) | (8.4 + 6.7 + 1.5 + 0.8)/2 ≈ 8.7 | Hordges brought physicality, rebounding, and a modest scoring punch. He seems like a secondary forward, complementary to the stars. | — |
| John Roche | Relief Point Guard / Floor-Spacing | 23.5 | Low Usage | 8.9 | 1.4 | 5.4 | 1.0 (0.7 + 0.3) | (8.9 + 1.4 + 5.4 + 1.0)/2 ≈ 8.35 | Roche gave quality spare minutes, especially in ball-handling and playmaking. He wasn’t a primary scorer but could step in reliably. | — |
| Billy McKinney | Third-String Guard / Scoring Reserve | 23.1 | Low Usage | 10.7 | 2.2 | 4.1 | 1.3 (1.2 + 0.1) | (10.7 + 2.2 + 4.1 + 1.3)/2 ≈ 9.15 | McKinney provided a scoring punch off the bench and helped in ball movement. | — |
| T.R. Dunn | Defensive Specialist | 17.4 | Very Low Usage | 4.5 | 3.7 | 1.0 | 1.2 (0.8 + 0.4) | (4.5 + 3.7 + 1.0 + 1.2)/2 ≈ 5.2 | Though not a major scorer, Dunn’s steals and overall defense made him a key role player in a defensive capacity. | All-Defensive First Team in 1976–77. |
| Glen Gondrezick | Depth Forward | 14.8 | Very Low Usage | 5.8 | 4.2 | 1.1 | 1.5 (1.2 + 0.3) | (5.8 + 4.2 + 1.1 + 1.5)/2 ≈ 6.3 | A role forward providing spot minutes, some rebounding, and occasional defensive contributions. | — |
| James Ray | Garbage-Time / Young Depth PF | 8.2 | Minimal Usage | 2.1 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 0.4 (0.2 + 0.2) | (2.1 + 2.1 + 0.6 + 0.4)/2 ≈ 2.6 | Ray had limited opportunities; likely used sparingly to give rest to starters. | — |
| Jawann Oldham | Emergency Center | 5.3 | Minimal Usage | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.5 (0.1 + 0.5) | (1.0 + 1.3 + 0.0 + 0.5)/2 ≈ 1.4 | Very limited minutes — likely used for emergency depth at center. | — |
| Ronnie Valentine | Very Low-Minute Wing | 5.1 | Minimal Usage | 3.5 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 (0.3 + 0.2) | (3.5 + 1.3 + 0.3 + 0.5)/2 ≈ 2.8 | Played very sparingly, probably in low-leverage situations or end-of-bench usage. | — |
*Impact Index = (PPG + RPG + APG + STK) ÷ 2