Stars search: Catching up with the 1971 ABA champions

#31 ZELMO BEATY

"The Big Z"

Birthday: Oct. 25, 1939

Height: 6-9

Weight: 235

College: Prairie View A&M

Championship memory: "That championship means everything to me. We had such great fans and support. When they carried Willie Wise and me off the court after we won the championship game with Kentucky, it was breathtaking for me. I had never had anything like that happened to me before, and I never did again."

What is Beaty doing now? Beaty, who lives in Bellevue, Wash., works in the financial services industry and dedicates time as a substitute schoolteacher.

#24 RON BOONE

"The Chief"

Birthday: Sept. 6, 1946

Height: 6-2

Weight: 200

College: Idaho State

Championship memory: "Jackie and I made our home here. That's how much it meant to us to win the championship. I still always remind people that I played on the only pro basketball championship team to play in Salt Lake City. The support our family received from the fans in this city really changed our minds about living in Omaha."

What is Boone doing now? Boone partners with Hot Rod Hundley on Utah Jazz broadcasts. He's also an avid golfer.

#12 MIKE BUTLER

Birthday: Oct. 22, 1946

Height: 6-2

Weight: 175

College: Memphis State

Championship memory: "That was a real success story. It was really wonderful to be part of that ride. You don't get many rides like that in life. There was nothing like it. Nothing rivals it."

What is Butler doing now? He has spent the past two decades working in the transportation/distribution business. He lives in Lakeland, Tenn., where he spends his spare time playing golf, fishing and reading the scriptures.