Pacers Basketball Legend Mel Daniels Dies

The legendary Indiana Pacers star and Detroit native Mel Daniels died Friday at the age of 71.

A two-time Most Valuable Player for the Indiana Pacers in both 1969 and 1971 and a seven-time All-Star, Daniels was regarded as one of the all-time greatest basketball players in the American Basketball Association, The Indianapolis Star said.

The 6-foot, 9-inch Daniels, who was elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012, led the ABA in rebounding three times, averaging 15.1 rebounds per game. He finished his ABA career as the all-time leader in rebounding, with 4,494.

After his retirement, Daniels remained loyal to the Pacers, serving in various capacities, beginning as an assistant coach when the Pacers moved to the NBA in 1984. He also was the team’s director of player personnel and a team scout.

After graduating from Detroit Pershing High School, Daniels played for the University of New Mexico Lobos basketball team from 1964-1967, and was a ninth pick for the 1967 NBA draft by the Cincinnati Royals.

He chose to play for the fledgling ABA instead, and became one of its greatest players.

Daniels is survived by his wife, CeCe, and other family members. He died in Sheridan, IN.

In a statement, Pacers owner Herb Simon said:

“I join our extended Pacers family in offering my sincerest condolences to CeCe and Mel’s family. We will miss him greatly, but when we look at that Hall of Fame banner in Bankers Life Fieldhouse, we will be forever reminded of what he meant to this franchise.”