Mel Daniels' Career in Photos

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thumbnail-image: On Saturday night, the Pacers will face the Portland Trail Blazers in what will be the team's second Decade Game of the 2016-17 season. This time around, Indiana will be honoring the players of the 1970s, and all fans in attendance will receive either a Mel Daniels or a George McGinnis limited edition bobblehead. Mel Daniels, who was a member of the Pacers during all three of their ABA Championships, was the unquestioned backbone of the team's 1970s dynasty. Learn more about the career of Daniels by flipping through photos of some of our recently uncovered images from our archives. TICKETS: Secure Your Seats for the 1970s Decade Game »
thumbnail-image: Daniels embraced basketball later than most, having a coach at Detroit Pershing High School basically beg him to join the team. But once he found comfort on the floor, he never looked back, continuing to grow both in terms of physical height and knowledge of the game. His grades weren't good enough to land him at a Division I program when college rolled around, so Daniels enrolled at Burlington Junior College in Iowa, then later transferred to New Mexico. Even though he was finding success at the college level, it still hadn't struck Daniels that he would end up going pro. But after his senior season, he was named a second-team All-American, drawing the interest of both NBA and ABA teams. TICKETS: Secure Your Seats for the 1970s Decade Game »
thumbnail-image: Daniels embraced basketball later than most, having a coach at Detroit Pershing High School basically beg him to join the team. But once he found comfort on the floor, he never looked back, continuing to grow both in terms of physical height and knowledge of the game. His grades weren't good enough to land him at a Division I program when college rolled around, so Daniels enrolled at Burlington Junior College in Iowa, then later transferred to New Mexico. Even though he was finding success at the college level, it still hadn't struck Daniels that he would end up going pro. But after his senior season, he was named a second-team All-American, drawing the interest of both NBA and ABA teams. TICKETS: Secure Your Seats for the 1970s Decade Game »
thumbnail-image: Mel Daniels began his professional career with the ABA's Minnesota Muskies, averaging 22.2 points and 15.6 rebounds in his rookie season and nearly grabbing the All-Star Game MVP award. By coincidence, the game's MVP actually turned out to be future Pacers head coach Larry Brown. But despite having some talented players, the Muskies were in serious financial trouble, and the Pacers jumped at the opportunity to nab Daniels. The Pacers traded two end of the bench players and a heaping sum of cash for Daniels, in what is remembered as one of the most one-sided trades in team history. TICKETS: Secure Your Seats for the 1970s Decade Game »
thumbnail-image: Mel Daniels began his professional career with the ABA's Minnesota Muskies, averaging 22.2 points and 15.6 rebounds in his rookie season and nearly grabbing the All-Star Game MVP award. By coincidence, the game's MVP actually turned out to be future Pacers head coach Larry Brown. But despite having some talented players, the Muskies were in serious financial trouble, and the Pacers jumped at the opportunity to nab Daniels. The Pacers traded two end of the bench players and a heaping sum of cash for Daniels, in what is remembered as one of the most one-sided trades in team history. TICKETS: Secure Your Seats for the 1970s Decade Game »
thumbnail-image: Mel Daniels began his professional career with the ABA's Minnesota Muskies, averaging 22.2 points and 15.6 rebounds in his rookie season and nearly grabbing the All-Star Game MVP award. By coincidence, the game's MVP actually turned out to be future Pacers head coach Larry Brown. But despite having some talented players, the Muskies were in serious financial trouble, and the Pacers jumped at the opportunity to nab Daniels. The Pacers traded two end of the bench players and a heaping sum of cash for Daniels, in what is remembered as one of the most one-sided trades in team history. TICKETS: Secure Your Seats for the 1970s Decade Game »
thumbnail-image: The trade was made official on May 24, 1968, and Daniels had a press conference held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Pacers were already a solid team with Roger Brown, Bob Netolicky, and Freddie Lewis, but Daniels completed the group, giving them the anchor of the defense that they hand't found yet in their couple years of existence. "I was like, 'Oh my goodness, how did this happen?'" captain Freddie Lewis recalled thinking. "That was exactly what we needed." In his first year with the team, Daniels averaged 24 points and 16.5 rebounds per game. TICKETS: Secure Your Seats for the 1970s Decade Game »
thumbnail-image: The trade was made official on May 24, 1968, and Daniels had a press conference held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Pacers were already a solid team with Roger Brown, Bob Netolicky, and Freddie Lewis, but Daniels completed the group, giving them the anchor of the defense that they hand't found yet in their couple years of existence. "I was like, 'Oh my goodness, how did this happen?'" captain Freddie Lewis recalled thinking. "That was exactly what we needed." In his first year with the team, Daniels averaged 24 points and 16.5 rebounds per game. TICKETS: Secure Your Seats for the 1970s Decade Game »
thumbnail-image: The trade was made official on May 24, 1968, and Daniels had a press conference held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Pacers were already a solid team with Roger Brown, Bob Netolicky, and Freddie Lewis, but Daniels completed the group, giving them the anchor of the defense that they hand't found yet in their couple years of existence. "I was like, 'Oh my goodness, how did this happen?'" captain Freddie Lewis recalled thinking. "That was exactly what we needed." In his first year with the team, Daniels averaged 24 points and 16.5 rebounds per game. TICKETS: Secure Your Seats for the 1970s Decade Game »
thumbnail-image: With Daniels as the starting center, the Pacers went on to win the ABA championship in three years out of four, spanning from 1969-70 to 1972-73. In his six years with the Pacers, Daniels averaged 19.4 points and 16 rebounds per game, and was always the physical edge that the team needed. In 1969 and 1971, he was named the ABA's MVP. In the ABA, scraps and skirmishes were about as common as they are in today's NHL, and Daniels was never afraid to mix it up when it came to standing up for his teammates. This contradiction is central to understanding Daniels, who was a gentle giant off the court, writing poetry and riding horses on his farmland. TICKETS: Secure Your Seats for the 1970s Decade Game »
thumbnail-image: With Daniels as the starting center, the Pacers went on to win the ABA championship in three years out of four, spanning from 1969-70 to 1972-73. In his six years with the Pacers, Daniels averaged 19.4 points and 16 rebounds per game, and was always the physical edge that the team needed. In 1969 and 1971, he was named the ABA's MVP. In the ABA, scraps and skirmishes were about as common as they are in today's NHL, and Daniels was never afraid to mix it up when it came to standing up for his teammates. This contradiction is central to understanding Daniels, who was a gentle giant off the court, writing poetry and riding horses on his farmland. TICKETS: Secure Your Seats for the 1970s Decade Game »
thumbnail-image: With Daniels as the starting center, the Pacers went on to win the ABA championship in three years out of four, spanning from 1969-70 to 1972-73. In his six years with the Pacers, Daniels averaged 19.4 points and 16 rebounds per game, and was always the physical edge that the team needed. In 1969 and 1971, he was named the ABA's MVP. In the ABA, scraps and skirmishes were about as common as they are in today's NHL, and Daniels was never afraid to mix it up when it came to standing up for his teammates. This contradiction is central to understanding Daniels, who was a gentle giant off the court, writing poetry and riding horses on his farmland. TICKETS: Secure Your Seats for the 1970s Decade Game »
thumbnail-image: Daniels ended up being traded away from the Pacers in a deal that was almost as one-sided as the one that brought him to the team. But like the Muskies were when they traded Daniels, the Pacers had found themselves strapped for the cash needed to keep its early-70s dynasty surging. Daniels spent what was his final season in the ABA with the Memphis Sounds, where he averaged 9.8 points and 9 rebounds per game, bringing his career averages to 18.4 points and 14.9 rebounds per game. TICKETS: Secure Your Seats for the 1970s Decade Game »
thumbnail-image: Daniels ended up being traded away from the Pacers in a deal that was almost as one-sided as the one that brought him to the team. But like the Muskies were when they traded Daniels, the Pacers had found themselves strapped for the cash needed to keep its early-70s dynasty surging. Daniels spent what was his final season in the ABA with the Memphis Sounds, where he averaged 9.8 points and 9 rebounds per game, bringing his career averages to 18.4 points and 14.9 rebounds per game. TICKETS: Secure Your Seats for the 1970s Decade Game »
thumbnail-image: In 2012, Daniels got the honor of a lifetime, joining Reggie Miller in the 2012 Class of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. It was fitting that Miller and Daniels joined the Hall of Fame together, since Miller had taken to calling Daniels "Uncle Mel" during his illustrious career. Daniels was no stranger at Pacers games and was often around for community events, forging a bond with players of the present day. "Mel was the second face I saw when I was drafted in 1987," Miller said. "I'm here to say this, without him, Roger Brown, Slick Leonard and those great ABA Pacers, they set the standard for what all Indiana Pacers teams have achieved." TICKETS: Secure Your Seats for the 1970s Decade Game »
thumbnail-image: In 2012, Daniels got the honor of a lifetime, joining Reggie Miller in the 2012 Class of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. It was fitting that Miller and Daniels joined the Hall of Fame together, since Miller had taken to calling Daniels "Uncle Mel" during his illustrious career. Daniels was no stranger at Pacers games and was often around for community events, forging a bond with players of the present day. "Mel was the second face I saw when I was drafted in 1987," Miller said. "I'm here to say this, without him, Roger Brown, Slick Leonard and those great ABA Pacers, they set the standard for what all Indiana Pacers teams have achieved." TICKETS: Secure Your Seats for the 1970s Decade Game »
thumbnail-image: In 2012, Daniels got the honor of a lifetime, joining Reggie Miller in the 2012 Class of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. It was fitting that Miller and Daniels joined the Hall of Fame together, since Miller had taken to calling Daniels "Uncle Mel" during his illustrious career. Daniels was no stranger at Pacers games and was often around for community events, forging a bond with players of the present day. "Mel was the second face I saw when I was drafted in 1987," Miller said. "I'm here to say this, without him, Roger Brown, Slick Leonard and those great ABA Pacers, they set the standard for what all Indiana Pacers teams have achieved." TICKETS: Secure Your Seats for the 1970s Decade Game »
thumbnail-image: Sadly, in October of 2015, Mel Daniels passed away at the age of 71. He is survived by his wife CeCe and family. "The tremendous outpouring of prayers being sent our way is overwhelming," said CeCe Daniels in the wake of his passing. "We are so grateful for all the love. His charisma, poise and passion for life - be it horses, basketball or friends - is a template for us all, his family and his fans." "We’ve lost a great one," said Bobby “Slick” Leonard, who was Daniels’ coach on the three ABA Champions and joined him in the Hall of Fame in 2014. Hundreds of people were in attendance for Daniels' memorial service, making sure they had a chance to stand up and say something kind about a man who stood up for teammates and family his entire life. More About Mel: Pacers.com/Mel »
thumbnail-image: Sadly, in October of 2015, Mel Daniels passed away at the age of 71. He is survived by his wife CeCe and family. "The tremendous outpouring of prayers being sent our way is overwhelming," said CeCe Daniels in the wake of his passing. "We are so grateful for all the love. His charisma, poise and passion for life - be it horses, basketball or friends - is a template for us all, his family and his fans." "We’ve lost a great one," said Bobby “Slick” Leonard, who was Daniels’ coach on the three ABA Champions and joined him in the Hall of Fame in 2014. Hundreds of people were in attendance for Daniels' memorial service, making sure they had a chance to stand up and say something kind about a man who stood up for teammates and family his entire life. More About Mel: Pacers.com/Mel »
thumbnail-image: Sadly, in October of 2015, Mel Daniels passed away at the age of 71. He is survived by his wife CeCe and family. "The tremendous outpouring of prayers being sent our way is overwhelming," said CeCe Daniels in the wake of his passing. "We are so grateful for all the love. His charisma, poise and passion for life - be it horses, basketball or friends - is a template for us all, his family and his fans." "We’ve lost a great one," said Bobby “Slick” Leonard, who was Daniels’ coach on the three ABA Champions and joined him in the Hall of Fame in 2014. Hundreds of people were in attendance for Daniels' memorial service, making sure they had a chance to stand up and say something kind about a man who stood up for teammates and family his entire life. More About Mel: Pacers.com/Mel »

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