Melvin Lowell Peterson (born March 23, 1938) is an American former National Basketball Association (NBA) and American Basketball Association (ABA) player.
Personal information | ||||||||||||||
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Born | (1938-03-23) March 23, 1938 (age 84) 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 / Round: 11 / Pick: 78th overall | |||||||||||||
Selected by the Detroit Pistons | ||||||||||||||
Playing career | 1963–1970 | |||||||||||||
Position | Shooting guard / Small forward | |||||||||||||
Number | 16, 40, 44 | |||||||||||||
Career history | ||||||||||||||
1963–1964 | Baltimore Bullets | |||||||||||||
1967–1969 | Oakland Oaks | |||||||||||||
1969–1970 | Los Angeles Stars | |||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | ||||||||||||||
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Career statistics | ||||||||||||||
Points | 1,032 (7.7 ppg) | |||||||||||||
Rebounds | 635 (4.7 rpg) | |||||||||||||
Assists | 160 (1.2 apg) | |||||||||||||
Stats ![]() | ||||||||||||||
Stats ![]() | ||||||||||||||
Medals
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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]
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]
United States men's basketball squad – 1963 Pan American Games – Gold medal | ||
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Oakland Oaks 1968–69 ABA champions | |
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