William P. "Bill" Melchionni is a former National Basketball Association and American Basketball Association player.
Education
Melchionni was a wispy guard from Bishop Eustace Preparatory (Pennsauken, New Jersey) who was a collegiate star in the mid-1960s at Villanova University and was the Most Valuable Player in the 1966 National Institute of Technology, when Villanova finished in third place in the tournament.
Career
Upon graduation from Villanova, Melchionni joined the famous Phillips 66ers Amateur Athletic Union 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 National Basketball Association Champions led by Wilt Chamberlain, Luke Jackson, Hal Greer, Wali Jones, and Chet Walker in 1967. The team was coached by another Amateur Athletic Union Elite alum, Alex Hannum.
Melchionni then jumped to the upstart American Bar Association, 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 American Bar Association Championship, led by Erving, Larry Kenon, John Williamson, and Billy Paultz.
Melchionni played in three American Bar Association All-Star Games, and was named to the All-American Bar Association First Team in 1972. Melchionni led the American Bar Association in assists per game in both 1971 and 1972.
Melchionni"s number 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-Administrative Committee on Company-ordination performer.