He played college basketball at Lawrence Technological University and was inducted into their athletic hall of fame.

Denning attended Northern High School in Detroit, Michigan,[3] where he was an All-State second team player in 1948.

[7] He was inducted into the Lawrence Tech Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011, and his number 14 was retired by the team.

[11] Although he was waived by the Bullets two days before the opening of their 1952–53 season,[12] Denning was reinstated to their negotiation list after going unclaimed.

[10][15] In September 1953, Denning was invited to tryout for the Bullets,[16] but in beginning of October, he was released along with nine other players.