William P. Melchionni (born October 19, 1944) is an American former National Basketball Association (NBA) and American Basketball Association (ABA) player. A three time All-Star, Melchionni is one of only four players to win NBA and ABA championships.
Melchionni was a collegiate star in the mid-1960s at Villanova University and was the Most Valuable Player in the 1966 NIT, as Villanova finished in third place in the tournament.[2]
Melchionni averaged 27.6 points as a senior at Villanova, as the team finished 18–11. As a junior, in 1964–1965, he averaged 19.4 points for the 23-5 Wildcats, who ended up #8 in the national rankings. In the 1966 season, the Wildcats won 9 of their last 10 games, finishing 3rd in the 1966 National Invitation Tournament, with Melchionni chosen as Tournament MVP. Melchionni scored 1,612 points during his career at Villanova.[3][4][5]
Melchionni graduated in 1966 from Villanova with a B.S. Degree in Economics.[6]
Immediately, Melchionni was a key reserve on what is, statistically speaking, the greatest 76ers team ever, the 1967 NBA champions led by Wilt Chamberlain, Luke Jackson, Hal Greer, Chet Walker, Billy Cunningham and fellow Villanova alum, Wali Jones. The team was coached by another AAU Elite alum, Alex Hannum. Melchionni played in 71 games, averaging 4.3 points and 1.3 assists for the championship 76ers.[8]
In 1969–1970, Melchionni found a home in the upstart ABA, joining the New York Nets. With the Nets he became a 3-time ABA All-Star, leading the league in assists multiple times and winning two more championships. In 1969–1970, he averaged 15.2 points and 5.7 assists; in 1970-1971: 17.6 points and 8.3 assists, (leading the ABA); in 1971-1972: 21.0 points and 8.4 assists, (leading the ABA) and in 1972-1973 12.3 points and 7.4 assists.[9]
In 1971–1972, Melchionni suffered a broken hand.[10]
In his Nets career, he played alongside Rick Barry and a young Julius Erving. After the Nets drafted future ABA All-Star Brian Taylor in 1972, Melchionni became key reserve player on the 1974 and 1976 ABA championship teams.[11][12] He averaged 12.4 points and 6.1 assists in seven seasons with the Nets. In his entire career, Melchionni averaged 10.6 points and 5.0 assists in 646 games.[9]
Of his career, Melchionni said, “With Julius, we won two ABA titles. To be able to say I played with and won championships with Wilt and Julius, arguably two of the top 10 players in basketball history, means something special to me.”[1]
Post-playing career
Melchionni became general manager of the Nets for two years after retiring as a player. Due to financial constraints on the Nets, he was forced to sell Erving to the 76ers to fund the Nets fee for joining the NBA in the ABA–NBA merger. He resigned from the Nets on March 15, 1979.[13][14] Melchionni worked at Salomon Brothers Investment Bank after leaving the Nets.
Awards and personal life
Melchionni played in three ABA All-Star Games, and was named to the All-ABA First Team in 1972. Melchionni led the ABA in assists per game in 1971, 1972 and 1973.
In 1995, Melchionni's number 25 jersey was retired by Villanova.[15]
Melchionni was ranked #15 on a list of All-Time Nets players.[17]
Melchionni's brother Gary was a two-year captain for Duke and was an All-ACC performer. Gary's son and Bill's nephew, Lee Melchionni, played for Duke from 2002 to 2006. Bill's brother Bob followed Bill at Villanova and played from 1966 through 1969.
References
^ abcmainlinemedianews.com, Lou OrlandoFor (15 October 2013). "Former Villanova star Billy Melchionni recalls his glory days". Main Line Media News.
^Laible, Don (16 April 2016). "Wilt, Dr J, the ABA Melchionni Saw It All". Observer-Dispatch. Retrieved 25 August 2017. From starring as a guard at Bishop Eustace Prep in his hometown of Pennsauken, New Jersey, to becoming a collegiate star in the mid-1960s at Villanova, and ultimately being a member of three professional championship teams, Melchionni saw, first-hand, some of the game's all-time greats, up close and personal.
^"1965-66 Villanova Wildcats Roster and Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
^"1964-65 Villanova Wildcats Roster and Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
^"NIT Most Valuable Player Winners". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
^Pluto, Terry (19 July 2011). Loose Balls. Simon and Schuster. ISBN9781439127520 – via Google Books.
^"1973-74 New York Nets Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com.
^"1975-76 New York Nets Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com.
^Donnellon, Sam (February 21, 1993). "Erving Set Standard for NBA". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
^"Melchionni Quits Nets; Theokas to Replace Him". The New York Times. 15 March 1978. p. B6. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
^Ewart, Brian (17 November 2009). "Being Retired". VU Hoops.
^"New Jersey Nets Retired Jersey Numbers - RealGM". basketball.realgm.com.
^"Nets All-Time Top 25: No. 15 Bill Melchionni". Brooklyn Nets.
External links
Career statistics
July 02, 2023
bill, melchionni, william, melchionni, born, october, 1944, american, former, national, basketball, association, american, basketball, association, player, three, time, star, melchionni, only, four, players, championships, personal, informationborn, 1944, octo. William P Melchionni born October 19 1944 is an American former National Basketball Association NBA and American Basketball Association ABA player A three time All Star Melchionni is one of only four players to win NBA and ABA championships Bill MelchionniPersonal informationBorn 1944 10 19 October 19 1944 age 78 Philadelphia Pennsylvania U S NationalityAmericanListed height6 ft 1 in 1 85 m Listed weight165 lb 75 kg Career informationHigh schoolBishop Eustace Prep Pennsauken Township New Jersey CollegeVillanova 1963 1966 NBA draft1966 2nd round 19th overall pickSelected by the Philadelphia 76ersPlaying career1966 1976PositionPoint guardNumber28 3 25Career history1966 1968Philadelphia 76ers1968 1970Trenton Colonials1969 1976New York NetsCareer highlights and awardsNBA champion 1967 2 ABA champion 1974 1976 3 ABA All Star 1971 1973 3 ABA assists leader 1971 1973 All ABA First Team 1972 No 25 retired by Brooklyn Nets Robert V Geasey Trophy winner 1966 NIT MVP 1966 Career NBA and ABA statisticsPoints6 870 10 6 ppg Rebounds1 284 2 0 rpg Assists3 247 5 0 apg Stats at NBA comStats at Basketball Reference com Contents 1 Early life 2 Professional career 3 Post playing career 4 Awards and personal life 5 References 6 External linksEarly life EditMelchionni was a guard from Bishop Eustace Prep in his hometown of Pennsauken Township New Jersey His teams won two state championships 1 Melchionni was a collegiate star in the mid 1960s at Villanova University and was the Most Valuable Player in the 1966 NIT as Villanova finished in third place in the tournament 2 Melchionni averaged 27 6 points as a senior at Villanova as the team finished 18 11 As a junior in 1964 1965 he averaged 19 4 points for the 23 5 Wildcats who ended up 8 in the national rankings In the 1966 season the Wildcats won 9 of their last 10 games finishing 3rd in the 1966 National Invitation Tournament with Melchionni chosen as Tournament MVP Melchionni scored 1 612 points during his career at Villanova 3 4 5 Melchionni graduated in 1966 from Villanova with a B S Degree in Economics 6 Professional career EditUpon graduation from Villanova Melchionni was a 2nd round 19th overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1966 NBA draft Melchionni joined the Phillips 66ers AAU Elite team before returning to his hometown to join the Philadelphia 76ers in 1966 1967 7 Immediately Melchionni was a key reserve on what is statistically speaking the greatest 76ers team ever the 1967 NBA champions led by Wilt Chamberlain Luke Jackson Hal Greer Chet Walker Billy Cunningham and fellow Villanova alum Wali Jones The team was coached by another AAU Elite alum Alex Hannum Melchionni played in 71 games averaging 4 3 points and 1 3 assists for the championship 76ers 8 After another season in Philadelphia Melchionni then played for the Trenton Colonials of the Eastern Professional Basketball League in 1968 1969 1 In 1969 1970 Melchionni found a home in the upstart ABA joining the New York Nets With the Nets he became a 3 time ABA All Star leading the league in assists multiple times and winning two more championships In 1969 1970 he averaged 15 2 points and 5 7 assists in 1970 1971 17 6 points and 8 3 assists leading the ABA in 1971 1972 21 0 points and 8 4 assists leading the ABA and in 1972 1973 12 3 points and 7 4 assists 9 In 1971 1972 Melchionni suffered a broken hand 10 In his Nets career he played alongside Rick Barry and a young Julius Erving After the Nets drafted future ABA All Star Brian Taylor in 1972 Melchionni became key reserve player on the 1974 and 1976 ABA championship teams 11 12 He averaged 12 4 points and 6 1 assists in seven seasons with the Nets In his entire career Melchionni averaged 10 6 points and 5 0 assists in 646 games 9 Of his career Melchionni said With Julius we won two ABA titles To be able to say I played with and won championships with Wilt and Julius arguably two of the top 10 players in basketball history means something special to me 1 Post playing career EditMelchionni became general manager of the Nets for two years after retiring as a player Due to financial constraints on the Nets he was forced to sell Erving to the 76ers to fund the Nets fee for joining the NBA in the ABA NBA merger He resigned from the Nets on March 15 1979 13 14 Melchionni worked at Salomon Brothers Investment Bank after leaving the Nets Awards and personal life EditMelchionni played in three ABA All Star Games and was named to the All ABA First Team in 1972 Melchionni led the ABA in assists per game in 1971 1972 and 1973 In 1995 Melchionni s number 25 jersey was retired by Villanova 15 The New Jersey Nets retired Melchionni s number 25 His is only one of six retired Nets jerseys joining 3 Drazen Petrovic 5 Jason Kidd 23 John Williamson 32 Julius Erving and 52 Buck Williams 16 Melchionni was ranked 15 on a list of All Time Nets players 17 Melchionni s brother Gary was a two year captain for Duke and was an All ACC performer Gary s son and Bill s nephew Lee Melchionni played for Duke from 2002 to 2006 Bill s brother Bob followed Bill at Villanova and played from 1966 through 1969 References Edit a b c mainlinemedianews com Lou OrlandoFor 15 October 2013 Former Villanova star Billy Melchionni recalls his glory days Main Line Media News Laible Don 16 April 2016 Wilt Dr J the ABA Melchionni Saw It All Observer Dispatch Retrieved 25 August 2017 From starring as a guard at Bishop Eustace Prep in his hometown of Pennsauken New Jersey to becoming a collegiate star in the mid 1960s at Villanova and ultimately being a member of three professional championship teams Melchionni saw first hand some of the game s all time greats up close and personal 1965 66 Villanova Wildcats Roster and Stats College Basketball at Sports Reference com 1964 65 Villanova Wildcats Roster and Stats College Basketball at Sports Reference com NIT Most Valuable Player Winners College Basketball at Sports Reference com http grfx cstv com photos schools nova sports m baskbl auto pdf 2009 10 77 96 pdf bare URL PDF Donohue Ed 14 August 2010 Reader Poll Villanova s Greatest Point Guard VU Hoops 1966 67 Philadelphia 76ers Roster and Stats Basketball Reference com Archived from the original on 2009 04 16 Retrieved 2019 01 06 a b Bill Melchionni Stats Basketball Reference com Pluto Terry 19 July 2011 Loose Balls Simon and Schuster ISBN 9781439127520 via Google Books 1973 74 New York Nets Roster and Stats Basketball Reference com 1975 76 New York Nets Roster and Stats Basketball Reference com Donnellon Sam February 21 1993 Erving Set Standard for NBA Chicago Tribune Retrieved July 11 2020 Melchionni Quits Nets Theokas to Replace Him The New York Times 15 March 1978 p B6 Retrieved July 11 2020 Ewart Brian 17 November 2009 Being Retired VU Hoops New Jersey Nets Retired Jersey Numbers RealGM basketball realgm com Nets All Time Top 25 No 15 Bill Melchionni Brooklyn Nets External links EditCareer statistics Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bill Melchionni amp oldid 1158803301, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
