Malik Beasley isn’t shy about busting a dance move. After he closed his rookie season with the Nuggets with a strong performance in the regular-season finale at Oklahoma City, he bounced his head up and down as if he was attending a heavy metal concert in the visitor’s locker room.

So when Beasley found out he had won a charity hitting contest at Coors Field on Wednesday, an event featuring current and former Denver pro athletes that raised more than $35,000 for the National Stroke Association through UCHealth, he naturally rolled his shoulders and shuffled his feet before clasping his father Michael in a hug.

“It was a blast,” Beasley said outside the dugout, shaking the hands that had just clasped the wooden bat. “I didn’t know it would hurt so much when you hit it. I’m glad I got to come out here with the Rockies and get to swing at a couple balls out here. I haven’t done that since high school.”

Beasley, of course, was just finishing up at St. Francis High School in Georgia this time two years ago. It only seems like longer. In the short time since, Beasley became an ACC all-freshman at Florida State, then was drafted No. 19 overall by the Nuggets last year and completed a rookie season that had him hopping back and fourth between the Nuggets and his D-League assignment with the Sioux Falls Skyforce in South Dakota.

The 20-year-old 6-foot-5 guard already had the chance to enjoy an honor often reserved for players further removed from their career roots. Beasley earlier this month had his No. 5 jersey retired by St. Francis, a school he led to two state championships. He is the school’s all-time leading scorer and became the first player in its history to have his jersey retired.

“To have your jersey retired in a high school is amazing, man,” Beasley said. “I’m thankful for all the coaches, the teammates, the teachers that were there. I’m just thankful for everybody.”

Beasley’s first professional season ended on a high note. He averaged 36 minutes over Denver’s final two games, averaging 16.5 points, four rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 48.3 percent from the floor. Overall, he played in 22 games with the Nuggets last season, averaging 3.8 points and shooting 45.2 percent.

“What Malik Beasley was able to do the last two games of the year was phenomenal,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said at season’s end. “It kind of reinvigorated everybody. This kid, even though he hadn’t had a chance to play much, showed that he works very hard and has a chance to be an impactful defender. Offensively, he’s gifted. He can score in bunches.” Related Articles April 11, 2017 Malik Beasley makes most of late-season appearance as Nuggets spoil Mavericks

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After the season-ending victory over the Thunder, in which Beasley made his first career start, he said he was only scratching the surface of what he believes he can do in the NBA. He’s eager to play in the upcoming summer league in July to show he can be a contributor for a Nuggets team that had a logjam at the guard position last season. Depending on what happens in the draft and during free agency, spots in the Nuggets backcourt may be equally hard to win heading into next season.

Beasley insists he’s embracing that challenge. After a brief vacation to the Bahamas, he’s spent mornings in the weight room with Nuggets strength guru Steve Hess, working to add weight to an explosive if slightly thin frame. He’ll return to Atlanta for the next several weeks, working his longtime trainer. In June he’ll take a trip with his father to China in conjunction with NBA Cares, an outreach aimed at expanding the league’s influence globally.

Then comes the summer league.

“It’s going to be fun,” he said. “It’s going to be a reward for all the hard work I’m doing this summer. That’s how I look at it. My dad is popping popcorn for summer league already. We’re ready for it.”