Mel Hutchins

Professional basketball player 1951–58.

What is Mel Hutchins known for?

One of the most notable alumni from Arcadia High School, in Arcadia, California, is Mel Hutchins, a celebrated American basketball player. Born on November 22, 1928, Mel was a native of Sacramento, California. Hutchins made his mark in the sports world, playing professionally in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1951 until 1958.

Hutchins's high school years were spent at Arcadia High School. Following this, he attended Brigham Young University (BYU), where he showcased his exceptional basketball talent. As a senior, he led BYU to victory in the 1951 NIT National Championship. During 1950-1951, Hutchins averaged 15.4 points and 12.7 rebounds, and the 471 rebounds he made that season remain a BYU record. His remarkable performance in college culminated in him being named MVP after leading the West to victory in the annual East-West College All-Star game.

In the 1951 NBA draft, Hutchins was selected with the second pick by the Tri-Cities Blackhawks. He went on to have a prolific playing career, which included stints at the Milwaukee Hawks, Fort Wayne Pistons, and New York Knicks. His career highlights include being a four-time NBA All-Star and achieving the NBA rebounding leader title in 1952. Hutchins was also heralded as the NBA Rookie of the Year (Newspaper Writers) in 1952.

In terms of statistics, Hutchins scored 4,851 points (averaging 11.1 per game), made 4,186 rebounds (averaging 9.6 per game), and 1,298 assists (averaging 3.0 per game).

Post-retirement, Hutchins's No. 14 jersey was retired in his honor by BYU Cougars, acknowledging his significant contribution to the team. Mel Hutchins passed away on December 19, 2018, in Encinitas, California, but his legacy in the world of basketball endures.

For more detailed insights into Hutchins's career, visit his statistics at NBA.com or Basketball-Reference.com.