Storyteller, learner, basketball power broker; Bret Bearup leaves a lasting legacy on the NBA

Bret Bearup was a larger than life figure inside the walls of Pepsi Center. Usually dressed in all black, the hulking 6-foot-9 mammoth of a man typically sat courtside before Nuggets’ games, sharing stories and conversing with former players that he represented during his long and illustrious career as a basketball power broker, financial advisor and consultant for Stan Kroenke’s vast enterprises.

Bearup passed away suddenly at the age of 56, the Lexington Herald Leader reported Thursday evening.

“If you knew Bret Bearup, I guarantee you’ve got a story,” ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt wrote on Twitter late Thursday night. “Yours might be better than mine. But I’ve got some great memories of a hysterically funny, brilliant man. So sad to hear of his passing.”

Bearup’s tales weren’t limited to just basketball. He was a deep-thinker and learner who had an affinity for reading and a fine bottle of wine. His Facebook feed was a veritable who’s who of vintage, both in grape and the written word. His was a curious mind, always eager to probe, to engage. He was smart, eloquent, detailed, and knowledgeable about most any topic thrown his way.

But, of course, hoops was his real bag. Bearup, who went by ‘Bear’ was a McDonald’s All-American high school star from Greenlawn, New York and averaged 28 points and 17 rebounds for Harborfields High School before arriving at the University of Kentucky in 1980. Bearup appeared in 114 games for the Wildcats over four years. He averaged 6.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game during his senior season.

After his playing days ended, he was a financial advisor to NBA stars like Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Elton Brand and Nick Van Exel. Bearup’s Atlanta-based company ProTrust used to sponsor a team of high school All-Americans that took trips to Europe every summer.

Bearup was an advisor to the Nuggets and Kroenke in the mid-2000s and was instrumental in shaping the Nuggets’ 2009 Western Conference Finals roster. Along with executives Mark Warkentein and Rex Chapman, Bearup was a force behind the scenes, pulling the strings on a number of transactions including the trade which brought Chauncey Billups to the Nuggets in 2008 for Allen Iverson.

He was always accessible to reporters he trusted, and would tell you stuff. But never too much stuff. He always had a knack for discretion. He was the ultimate insider who never had his fingerprints on anything.

Bearup was relieved of his duties in 2010 when a new regime established control in Denver, one that saw Josh Kroenke take over as president and owner when his father was forced to divest his ownership interest in the Nuggets upon taking full ownership of the NFL’s St. Louis Rams. Kroenke appointed Masai Ujiri as executive vice president of basketball operations and Bearup remained around the organization and Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, but only in a consulting role.

Still, he retained considerable clout within the organization. Some of his last Facebook feed pictures, over the weekend from Stan Kroenke’s Montana ranch and his corporate jet, were proof of that.

“The Denver Nuggets and KSE lost a beloved member of their family with the passing of Bret Bearup,” the Nuggets said in a post from their official Twitter account Thursday night. “Bret was a truly special person who will be missed dearly, but his memory will live on. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

His impact on the game was evident by the number of players, coaches, executives and media that shared memories of Bearup upon learning of his passing Thursday night.

“Sad to hear that Bret Bearup passed away suddenly,” Kentucky coach John Calipari said on Twitter. “A former Kentucky player for Coach Hall, I’ve known Bret since my days at UMass. He was always a loyal and good-hearted person who loved the game of basketball. He’s going to be missed. Prayers for him and his family.”

“RIP to former Kentucky Wildcat Bret Bearup, who passed away at the age of 56,” said ESPN’s Jay Bilas. “Bearup was a prominent influence on the basketball scene for many years, and was such a fun person to be around. Sad day.”

Author and Yahoo Sports’ columnist Dan Wetzel called Bearup “larger than life in every way. Wickedly smart, forever seeking a laugh.” Chapman recalled a story where Bearup sent him on a scouting trip to see a talented backup point guard at UCLA names Russell Westbrook. “Bearup’s brain = electric,” said Chapman.

He had more to give, countless more memories to create, more insightful and detailed observations to make and more stories to tell. He was respectful to those big and small in stature and considerate to any basketball opinion right or wrong.

Bearup was a mainstay at Pepsi Center over the past few years. His empty pregame courtside seat will stick out like a sore thumb next season.

He’ll be missed.