College:  Brigham Young University
 

​* ABA/NBA Career: 8 Years: (Milwaukee, Fort Wayne, New York Knicks)

​* 4-Time NBA All-Star (1953, 1954, 1956, 1957)

​* Named one of the Top 10 BYU players of All Time

​* BYU Hall of Fame Inductee (1976)
* 4​,851 Career Points
* 4,186 Career Rebounds
* 1,298 Career Assists

Mel played forward/center for BYU in the early 1950’s.  He was an All-American and led the Cougars to the NIT Championship.  Mel was drafted with the 2nd overall pick in 1951. He played for Milwaukee, Fort Wayne and the New York Knicks.  

 

In 1952, as a rookie, he was the co-leader of the NBA in total rebounds with 880, averaging 13 per game.  Mel and Wilt Chamberlain were the only rookies in NBA history to lead the league in rebounding.  Hutchins was named Co-Rookie of the Year.  He was not only known as one of the best rebounders in the league but he was renowned for his defensive abilities. 

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Hutchins helped lead the Pistons to back-to-back NBA Finals in 1955 and 1956.  He went on to play 8 seasons in the NBA, earning a spot on the All-Star team 4 times. In 1958, Mel retired from the game after sustaining a serious knee injury.​