1951 NBA Draft

The 1951 NBA Draft featured ten teams and produced several important players from the NBA's early years. Baltimore selected Bradley guard Gene Melchiorre first overall, while the Tri-Cities Blackhawks used the second pick on Brigham Young forward Mel Hutchins.

Hutchins became one of the draft's two future NBA All-Stars, along with Illinois guard Don Sunderlage. Other notable selections included Whitey Skoog, Lew Hitch, Bill Tosheff, George Dempsey, Al McGuire, Bill Garrett and Ernie Barrett.

The Minneapolis Lakers used a territorial selection on University of Minnesota guard Whitey Skoog. The territorial system allowed a team to surrender its regular first-round position in order to claim a prominent local college player. Skoog became an important member of three Lakers championship teams.

The Tri-Cities Blackhawks participated in the draft under their original Illinois-based name. The franchise relocated to Milwaukee before the 1951-52 season and became the Milwaukee Hawks.

87 selections: The 1951 NBA Draft lasted 12 rounds. There were 86 numbered selections plus Minneapolis territorial selection Whitey Skoog, producing the commonly cited total of 87 selections.

First overall pick: Baltimore selected Bradley guard Gene Melchiorre with the first overall selection. Despite being the No. 1 pick, Melchiorre never played an NBA game.

Mel Hutchins: The Tri-Cities Blackhawks selected Brigham Young forward Mel Hutchins second overall. Hutchins became a four-time NBA All-Star during a seven-season NBA career.

Don Sunderlage: Philadelphia selected Illinois guard Don Sunderlage ninth overall. His rights later went to the Milwaukee Hawks, and he became an NBA All-Star in 1954.

Two NBA All-Stars: Mel Hutchins and Don Sunderlage were the two players from the 1951 draft who eventually appeared in an NBA All-Star Game.

Whitey Skoog: Minneapolis used its territorial selection on University of Minnesota guard Myer "Whitey" Skoog. He played six NBA seasons and was a member of the Lakers' championship teams in 1952, 1953 and 1954.

Territorial rule: Minneapolis surrendered its normal first-round position in order to select Skoog. Territorial selections were designed to allow NBA teams to keep popular local college stars near their established fan bases.

Tri-Cities Blackhawks: The franchise drafted as the Tri-Cities Blackhawks. It relocated from the Moline/Rock Island, Illinois-Davenport, Iowa area to Milwaukee before the 1951-52 season and became the Milwaukee Hawks.

Bill Garrett: Boston selected Indiana University star Bill Garrett with the 16th numbered pick. Garrett had become the first African-American basketball player to regularly play for a Big Ten university.

Al McGuire: The New York Knicks selected St. John's guard Al McGuire in the sixth round. McGuire played four NBA seasons before beginning a Hall of Fame coaching career, most famously at Marquette.

George Dempsey: Philadelphia selected King's College guard George Dempsey in the seventh round. Dempsey later played for the Syracuse Nationals team that won the 1955 NBA championship.

Bill Tosheff: Indianapolis selected Indiana guard Bill Tosheff with the 32nd pick. Tosheff played three NBA seasons and was later recognized as an important advocate for pension benefits for former NBA players.

Late-round passes: As was customary in early NBA drafts, teams could stop making selections by passing. New York and Minneapolis passed in Round 8, leaving eight actual selections. Only Baltimore, Tri-Cities, Syracuse and Philadelphia selected in Round 9.

Final rounds: By Round 10 only Baltimore, Tri-Cities and Philadelphia were still making selections. Baltimore was the only franchise to make a selection in both the 11th and 12th rounds.

Final selection: Baltimore selected Springfield College guard John Burke with the 86th and final numbered pick. When Whitey Skoog's territorial selection is included, the draft contained 87 total selections.

No Hall of Fame players: The 1951 draft is unusual because none of its drafted players went on to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player.