Mel Peterson

Personal information
Born	(1938-03-23) March 23, 1938 (age 85) 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	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
ABA champion (1969) NCAA College Division champion (1957) NCAA College Division Tournament MVP (1957)
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
Medals Representing  United States Men's basketball Pan American Games 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.

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]