William P. "Bill" Melchionni (born October 19, 1944 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a former NBA and ABA player.
Melchionni was a wispy guard from Bishop Eustace Prep (Pennsauken, NJ) who was a collegiate star in the mid-1960s at Villanova University and was the Most Valuable Player in the 1966 NIT, when Villanova finished in third place in the tournament. Upon graduation from Villanova, Melchionni joined the famous Phillips 66ers AAU Elite team, where he starred for a season before returning to his hometown to join the Philadelphia 76ers.
Melchionni was a key reserve on what is, statistically speaking, the greatest 76ers team ever, the NBA Champions led by Wilt Chamberlain, Luke Jackson, Hal Greer, Wali Jones, and Chet Walker in 1967. The team was coached by another AAU Elite alum, Alex Hannum.
Melchionni then jumped to the upstart ABA, becoming a key cog with the New York Nets. He played alongside Rick Barry, and later mentored a young Julius Erving. Melchionni was a key player in the 1974 ABA Championship, led by Erving, Larry Kenon, John Williamson, and Billy Paultz.
Melchionni played in three ABA All-Star Games, and was named to the All-ABA First Team in 1972. Melchionni led the ABA in assists per game in both 1971 and 1972.
Melchionni's #25 jersey was retired by both the Nets and Villanova.
Melchionni's brother, Gary Melchionni, was a two-year captain for Duke University and was an All-ACC performer. Gary's son and Bill's nephew, Lee Melchionni, played for the Duke Blue Devil's from 2002-2006.
Famous quotes containing the word bill:
“I need not tell you of the inadequacy of the American shipping marine on the Pacific Coast.... For this reason it seems to me that there is no subject to which Congress can better devote its attention in the coming session than the passage of a bill which shall encourage our merchant marine in such a way as to establish American lines directly between New York and the eastern ports and South American ports, and both our Pacific Coast ports and the Orient and the Philippines.”
—William Howard Taft (1857–1930)