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Brooklyn Nets: 25 Best Players To Play For The Nets

By Phil Watson

Nov 2, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the opening tip-off between the Brooklyn Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the opening tip-off between the Brooklyn Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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MELCHIONNI
January 16, 1976: Bill Melchionni #25 of the New York Nets attempts a shot during a game against the Virginia Squires. (Photo by Rogers Photo Archive/Getty Images) /

147. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Free agent, Sept. 15, 1969.. PG. 1969-76. Bill Melchionni. 24. player

Bill Melchionni had spent a season in the Eastern Professional Basketball League before getting a chance as a free agent with the ABA’s New York Nets in September 1969.

He made the most of it.

BKN_24_MELCHIONNI
BKN_24_MELCHIONNI /

Melchionni was a three-time All-Star for the Nets, earning All-ABA honors in 1971-72.

He led the ABA in assists in 1970-71 and 1971-72 and was second in 1969-70 and played on all three New York teams that reached the ABA Finals.

He averaged 12.2 points per game in a six-game loss to the Indiana Pacers in 1972, put up four points a game playing in three of the five games of the Nets’ five-game win over the Utah Stars in 1974 and scored four points in the lone game in which he appeared in a six-game victory over the Denver Nuggets in 1976, retiring at the end of the 1975-76 season.

In seven seasons in New York, Melchionni averaged 12.4 points, 6.1 assists and 2.2 rebounds in 30.6 minutes per game, shooting .465/.236/.819.

Melchionni was a second-round pick out of Villanova by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1966 NBA Draft and was a reserve on their 1967 NBA championship team.

In May 1968, he was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the expansion draft but opted to play in the EPBL.

Melchionni was third in ABA history with 3,044 assists and second with an average of 6.1 assists per game.

Next: B Started, Ended Career In Jersey

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