Hall of Fame Professional Basketball Player. Born Melvin Joe Daniels, he was a 6'9" center at the University of New Mexico, when picked in the first round of the NBA draft by the Minnesota Muskies in 1967. For ten seasons nine in the American Basketball Association, he played for the Minnesota Muskies (1967-68, 1974-75), Indiana Pacers (1968-74), Memphis Sounds (1974-75) and New York Nicks (1976-77). He was the ABA Rookie of the year (1968), ABA All-Star Game MVP (1969), twice the ABA MVP (1969, 1971), played in seven ABA All-Star games (1968-74) and led the Pacers to three ABA championships, (1970, 1972-73). In 639 regular season games, he finished his career with 11,778 points scored, 9,528 rebounds and 1,140 assists. After his playing time, he was on the coaching staff for the University of New Mexico. Rejoining the Indiana Pacers, he was an assistant coach (1984-93) and served as the team's Director of Player Personnel, (1986-2009). In 1985, the Indiana Pacers retired his jersey number 34 and he was inducted to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. He died at age 71.
Hall of Fame Professional Basketball Player. Born Melvin Joe Daniels, he was a 6'9" center at the University of New Mexico, when picked in the first round of the NBA draft by the Minnesota Muskies in 1967. For ten seasons nine in the American Basketball Association, he played for the Minnesota Muskies (1967-68, 1974-75), Indiana Pacers (1968-74), Memphis Sounds (1974-75) and New York Nicks (1976-77). He was the ABA Rookie of the year (1968), ABA All-Star Game MVP (1969), twice the ABA MVP (1969, 1971), played in seven ABA All-Star games (1968-74) and led the Pacers to three ABA championships, (1970, 1972-73). In 639 regular season games, he finished his career with 11,778 points scored, 9,528 rebounds and 1,140 assists. After his playing time, he was on the coaching staff for the University of New Mexico. Rejoining the Indiana Pacers, he was an assistant coach (1984-93) and served as the team's Director of Player Personnel, (1986-2009). In 1985, the Indiana Pacers retired his jersey number 34 and he was inducted to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. He died at age 71.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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