Sunday, October 14, 2001 - Although the Denver Nuggets are in need of frontcourt depth, newcomer Shawnelle Scott isn't taking his opportunity for granted.

The 6-foot-11, 250-pound center practiced with the Nuggets for the first time Saturday after signing a nonguaranteed contract. The former St. John's star played for the Nuggets' summer league team in 1999, but he was waived during training camp that year.

"There are a lot of good players in this league, and I don't take anything for granted," said Scott, who was courted by the Houston Rockets before they recently signed free-agent forward/center Marc Jackson to an offer sheet. "The situation is not what it was before. But I am not expecting anything from anybody, and I am just going to work hard. I just know that if I am here, I will contribute and help."