Remember the ABA: Mel Daniels (original) (raw)

Mel Daniels

Ht. 6-9

Wt. 225
College - New Mexico
ABA Teams: Minnesota (1967-68), Indiana (1968-69 to 1973-74), Memphis (1974-75), Baltimore (1975-76)

2012 Inductee to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame; All-American at New Mexico; ABA's first Rookie of the Year in 1967-68 with the Minnesota Muskies; 2-Time ABA MVP; Led ABA in Rebounds 3 times: 1967-68 (15.6 rpg), 1968-69 (16.5 rpg), and 1970-71 (18.0 rpg); ABA All-Time Career Leader in Rebounds with 9,494; 7-Time ABA All-Star; 5-Time Member of ABA All-Pro Team; Member of all 3 Indiana Pacers ABA Championship Teams; Unanimous Selection to ABA 30 Man All-Time Team

From Jim O'Brien's 1972-73 Complete Handbook of Pro Basketball:

Mel has been a most consistent star in the ABA from its beginning . . . Has won just about all available awards in ABA, and respect in NBA from those who have competed against him in all-star contests or seen him in action . . . A fiercely competitive, driven man . . . When challenged he is as awesome as the Loch Ness monster . . . Favors bulling opposing pivots into the cheaper seats . . . League's MVP in 1969 and 1971, and All-Star Game MVP in 1971 . . . ABA Rookie of the Year in 1968 . . . Led Pacers to ABA title in 1969-70, 1971-72 and 1972-73 seasons . . . Enjoys horseback riding and outdoors in Albuquerque, New Mexico where he went to school, made All-America and was No. 1 draft choice of NBA Cincinnati Royals . . . Joined ABA with ill-fated Minnesota Muskies . . . Pacers gave up two players and cash to get him for second ABA season and it was an absolute steal . . . Writes poetry about his personal experiences, prefers Poe for reading