American · Detroit, Michigan · Born 20 July 1944American basketball center and two-time ABA MVP who dominated the paint during the league's early years, leading Indiana Pacers to three championships.
Mel Daniels was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1944. New Mexico Lobos developed him before Minnesota Muskies selected him in the 1967 ABA Draft. His eight-season career produced 19.7 points and 16.5 rebounds per game — the rebounds average one of the highest in professional basketball history at any level. He won the ABA MVP twice (1969, 1971) and three ABA championships with the Indiana Pacers (1970, 1972, 1973). He was selected to six ABA All-Star games. His rebounding dominance — averaging more than 16 per game across his career — reflects a physical presence around the basket that few big men at any level have matched. He was the most valuable player in the ABA outside of Julius Erving during the league's competitive peak years. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012 — long overdue recognition for a player who dominated his league across three championships. The ABA's relative obscurity has consistently meant that players of Daniels' calibre receive less recognition than comparable NBA players, but his statistical dominance is unambiguous.
Dominant center in the ABA, led Indiana Pacers to three championships
How They Played
Physical interior presence, excellent rebounder and shot blocker
Lasting Impact
One of the greatest players in ABA history, key figure in establishing the league's credibility
Career Honours
- ABA Champion 3x (1970,1972,1973)
- ABA MVP 2x (1969,1971)
- ABA All-Star 6x
- Hall of Fame (2012)
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Muskies | 1967–1968 | 78 |
| Indiana Pacers | 1968–1974 | 438 |
| Memphis Sounds | 1974–1975 | 84 |
| New York Nets | 1976–1977 | 81 |
American Athletes