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Bill Melchionni: The First Nets Legend Whose Number Graced the Rafters
Upon joining the Nets from the 76ers on February 10, 2022, Ben Simmons faced the challenge of selecting a new jersey number, as the iconic 25, familiar to both him and NBA fans, was retired — a fact lesser-known among newer fans.
Who was Bill Melchionni?
Melchionni hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended Villanova University just a few minutes away from his hometown. A true Philadelphian, Melchionni started his young career being drafted in the second round by the 76ers in the 1966 NBA draft. He would spend 2 years with them before joining the Trenton Colonials of the former Eastern Professional Basketball League, before he found a home with the Nets in 1970.
When he joined, the team was called the New York Nets, and were playing in the ABA league. With the Nets, he was a 3-time ABA All-Star, 2-time ABA Champion, and ABA Assists Leader for 3 consecutive seasons from 1971-1973. Melchionni was part of the All-ABA Fist Team in 1972, averaging 21.0 points per game and 8.4 assists per game.
Bill’s Legendary Teammates
Melchionni’s success in the NBA began immediately, as he was on the 76ers team that won the NBA title in the 1966-67 season. On that team was Wilt Chamberlain, one of the greatest scorers of all time. A few years later, after his 3 seasons of leading the ABA in assists, the Nets gave Villanova University product another legendary teammate.
Julius Erving was traded from the Virginia Squires of the ABA to the New York Nets in 1973, and proceeded to win 2 ABA titles in 3 years with Melchionni supplying him the rock.
“With Julius, we won two ABA titles,” said Melchionni in an interview. “To be able to say I played with and won championships with Wilt and Julius, arguably two of the Top 10 players in basketball history, means something special to me.”
Though the success didn’t come primarily in the NBA for Melchionni with the team, his achievements in the ABA earned him legendary status for the Nets, becoming the first Net to have his number retired.
