Mel Hutchins

Who is Mel Hutchins?

Melvin R. Hutchins is a retired American basketball player. He played professionally in the NBA from 1951 to 1958.

A 6'6" power forward/center from Brigham Young University, Hutchins played for the Milwaukee Hawks, Fort Wayne Pistons, and New York Knicks. In 1952, as a rookie, he was the co-leader of the NBA in total rebounds with 880, at a rate of 13.3 rebounds per game. Hutchins and Bill Tosheff were named co-NBA Rookie of the Year by newspaper writers—a designation not recognized by the NBA. During his career, Hutchins appeared in four NBA All-Star Games. After sustaining a serious knee injury, he retired in 1958 with 4,851 career points and 4,186 career rebounds.