Ernie Beck was one of the greatest basketball players in Philadelphia collegiate history, and still holds 10 Pennsylvania school records 43 years after playing his last collegiate game.
A three-year varsity letterwinner, Beck holds the school records for most points in a career (1,827), season (673, 1952-53) and a game (47, vs. Duke, 1952-53). He also holds school records for rebounds in a career (1, 557) and season (556, 1950-51); field goals made in a career (704); free throws made and attempted in one season (183-for-229, 1952-53); and the highest career and one-season scoring averages (22.3,25.9, in 1952-53).
Pennsylvania had a combined record of 62-21 in his three varsity seasons, and played in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history in Beck’s senior year. He was a first-round draft choice of the Philadelphia Warriors, played six seasons in the NBA, and was a member of the Warriors’ 1956 NBA Championship team.
