Melvin Utley (January 2, 1953 – September 24, 2019) was an American professional basketball player. He emerged as a star while playing at Far Rockaway High School in his hometown of Queens, New York, and earned all-city honors during his senior year in 1971.[1] Utley played collegiately for the St. John's Redmen, whom he desired to play for due to the closeness of his family.[1] In his three years with the Redmen, Utley led the team in scoring twice and was named team co-captain during his senior season.[2] His 345 assists rank as the second-highest in program history by a three-year player.[3]
Utley was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1975 NBA draft as the 33rd overall pick, which was the selection before his hometown New York Knicks.[1] He was the last player cut by the Cavaliers before the start of the 1975–76 NBA season.[1] Utley wished to tryout for the Knicks but the Cavaliers refused to release his draft rights and he ultimately never played a game in the National Basketball Association (NBA).[1] Instead, he played professionally in the Eastern Basketball Association (EBA) for the Long Island Sounds, Long Island Ducks and the Shore Bullets.[4][5]
Utley had an early retirement from playing basketball professionally at the urging of his mother, who insisted on him pursuing a different career as he was not making enough money.[1] He ran a group home for 14 years that dealt with children in the court system and also worked as a substitute teacher in Brooklyn, New York.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Velez, Elio (June 6, 2008). "Utley Humbled At Selection To St. John's All-Century Team". The Wave. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
- ^ "Mel Utley". Redmen.com. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
- ^ "St. John's Remembers Mel Utley". St. John's University Athletics. September 25, 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
- ^ "EBA - Mel Utley". NASL Jerseys. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
- ^ "Life Is Grim in the Boondocks of Basketball". The New York Times. February 1, 1978. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
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