A special ABA game ball (Jack Dolph, Commissioner 1969-72 model) to commemorate Mel Daniels being the first player to reach the 5,000 rebound mark in that league. Mel reached the historic milestone in a 22 rebound effort againt the Texas Chaparrals on February 15, 1971.
You could argue Mel Daniels was the most consistent star in the entire nine-year history of the ABA. The Detroit native starred in college for the University of New Mexico and then joined the upstart ABA, with his greatest success coming with the Indiana Pacers. Mel anchored the center position for many great Pacers teams on his way to the HOF.
Daniels’ credentials read like the ABA’s version of Bill Russell. His accomplishments included:
-3 Time ABA Champion
-2 Time ABA MVP
-7 Time ABA All-Star
-All-Star Game MVP (1969)
-4 Time ABA 1st Team
-3 Time ABA Rebounding Leader
-ABA Rookie of the Year (1968)
-All-Time ABA team
-#34 retired by the Pacers
-Front office Executive for the Pacers