Mel Peterson

Last updated
Mel Peterson
Personal information
Born (1938-03-23) March 23, 1938 (age 85)
Thief River Falls, Minnesota
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High schoolStephenson (Stephenson, Michigan)
College Wheaton (1956–1960)
NBA draft 1960: 11th round, 78th overall pick
Selected by the Detroit Pistons
Playing career1963–1970
Position Shooting guard / small forward
Number16, 40, 44
Career history
1963–1964 Baltimore Bullets
19671969 Oakland Oaks
1969–1970 Los Angeles Stars
Career highlights and awards
Career statistics
Points 1,032 (7.7 ppg)
Rebounds 635 (4.7 rpg)
Assists 160 (1.2 apg)
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at NBA.com
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at Basketball-Reference.com
Medals
Representing Flag of the United States.svg United States
Men's basketball
Pan American Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1963 São Paulo Team Competition

Melvin Lowell Peterson (born March 23, 1938) is an American former National Basketball Association (NBA) and American Basketball Association (ABA) player.

Contents

Collegiate career

Mel attended Wheaton College. While at Wheaton College, Mel was selected as a three-time All-American basketball player. [1] He was also selected as the Most Outstanding Player of the 1957 NCAA Men's Division II basketball tournament, as Wheaton College won the inaugural NCAA Division II tournament. [2] Mel finished his career at Wheaton College, averaging 22.7 points and 15.8 rebounds per game. He still ranks as Wheaton College's all-time leader in points per game, career points, field goals made, and career rebounds. [3]

Professional career

Mel was drafted with the fourth pick in the 11th round of the 1960 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons. On August 15, 1963, Mel signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Bullets. In two games with the Bullets, Mel recorded a total of two points and one rebound. Peterson did not play for the following three seasons. Mel made his ABA debut on October 13, 1967, for the Oakland Oaks. [4]

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References

  1. "Wheaton College Athletics – Men's Basketball All-Americans". athletics.wheaton.edu. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  2. "2010 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Tournament Records and Statistics: Division II men's basketball Championship" (PDF). Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  3. "Wheaton College Athletics – Men's Basketball Career Records". athletics.wheaton.edu. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  4. "Mel Peterson NBA & ABA statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved 13 July 2012.