Mel Peterson, Wheaton

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Wheaton (Ill.) (1956-60); Was a 3-time All-American … As just a freshman, named Most Outstanding Player of the 1957 NCAA Men’s College Division Basketball Tournament, leading the Crusaders to 28-1 record and the inaugural NCAA college division championship (89-65 victory over Kentucky Wesleyan) … Averaged 22.7 points and 15.8 rebounds over his career, and still holds the Wheaton record for points per game, career points (2,522), field goals made (1,031), and career rebounds (1,767) … Was an 11th-round draft pick of the Detroit Pistons in the 1960 NBA draft … Joined the Army and thus was selected as the Army rep to  the USA team that won 1963 Pan American Games gold medal (played with Willis Reed and Lucious Jackson)… Member of the Wheaton Hall of Fame.