Mel Peterson

Mel Peterson

Personal information
Born	(1938-03-23) March 23, 1938 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	Guard / 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)
Career statistics
Points	1,032 (7.7 ppg)
Rebounds	635 (4.7 rpg)
Assists	160 (1.2 apg)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Melvin Lowell "Mel" Peterson (born March 23, 1938) is a 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. 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. 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.

Professional career

Mel was drafted with the fourth pick in the eleventh 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.