Mel Hutchins

Melvin Ray Hutchins (1928–2018) was a 6-foot-6 power forward-center who played in the NBA from 1951 to 1958. A Sacramento, California native, Hutchins played collegiately at Brigham Young University, where he led the Cougars to the 1951 NIT National Championship under coach Stan Watts. That senior season he averaged 15.4 points and 12.7 rebounds, with 471 rebounds — a BYU record — and was named MVP of the East-West College All-Star game. The Tri-Cities Blackhawks selected him second overall in the 1951 NBA draft. He was named to four NBA All-Star teams during his professional career.