Mel Peterson
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 23, 1938 Thief River Falls, Minnesota |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Listed weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Stephenson (Stephenson, Michigan) |
| College | Wheaton (1956–1960) |
| NBA draft | 1960: 11th round, 78th overall pick |
| Selected by the Detroit Pistons | |
| Playing career | 1963–1970 |
| Position | Guard / Forward |
| Number | 16, 40, 44 |
| Career history | |
| 1963–1964 | Baltimore Bullets |
| 1967–1969 | 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 at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Melvin Lowell "Mel" Peterson (born March 23, 1938) is a former National Basketball Association (NBA) and American Basketball Association (ABA) player.
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 eleventh 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]
References
- ^ "Wheaton College Athletics – Men's Basketball All-Americans". athletics.wheaton.edu. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ "2010 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Tournament Records and Statistics: Division II men's basketball Championship" (PDF). Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ "Wheaton College Athletics – Men's Basketball Career Records". athletics.wheaton.edu. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ "Mel Peterson NBA & ABA statistics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- 1938 births
- Living people
- American men's basketball players
- Baltimore Bullets (1963–73) players
- Basketball players from Minnesota
- Detroit Pistons draft picks
- Forwards (basketball)
- Guards (basketball)
- Los Angeles Stars players
- Oakland Oaks players
- United States men's national basketball team players
- Wheaton Thunder men's basketball players
- Wilmington Blue Bombers players
- Pan American Games medalists in basketball
- Pan American Games gold medalists for the United States
- People from Thief River Falls, Minnesota