Mel Hutchins

Melvin Ray Hutchins


Born:
November 22, 1928
Sacramento, CA

Died:
December 19, 2018
Encinitas, CA


Career
1945-46 Monrovia High School - California (High School)
1946-47 Monrovia High School - California (High School)
1947-48 Brigham Young University (College)
1948-49 Brigham Young University (College)
1949-50 Brigham Young University (College)
1950-51 Brigham Young University (College)
1951-52 Milwaukee Hawks (NBA)
1952-53 Milwaukee Hawks (NBA)
1953-54 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)
1954-55 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)
1955-56 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)
1956-57 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)
1957-58 New York Knicks (NBA)

After a stellar career at BYU, Hutchins was the second pick overall in the 1951 draft, selected by Tri-Cities (who would announce their move to Milwaukee weeks later.) Hutchins would lead the NBA in rebounding in his rookie year, a feat only accomplished by one other player, Wilt Chamberlain. In 1953, the Hawks sold him to the Pistons, and in his four seasons there the Pistons made it to the NBA Finals twice. After the 1957 season, we has traded along with Charlie Tyra to the New York Knicks for Dick Atha, Nat Clifton and Harry Gallatin. His career ended following a serious knee injury in 1958.

His sister, Colleen, was named Miss America in 1952. She married fellow pro basketball player Ernie Vandeweghe and their son (Mel's nephew) Kiki also played in the NBA.


Source:


Stats:
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hutchme01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=hutchme01