Mel Utley

Melvin Utley (January 2, 1953 – September 24, 2019) was an American professional basketball player. He emerged as a star while playing at Far Rockaway High School in his hometown of Queens, New York, and earned all-city honors during his senior year in 1971. Utley played collegiately for the St. John's Redmen, whom he desired to play for due to the closeness of his family. His 345 assists rank as the second-highest in program history by a three-year player.

Utley was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1975 NBA draft as the 33rd overall pick, which was the selection before his hometown New York Knicks.

Utley had an early retirement from playing basketball professionally at the urging of his mother, who insisted on him pursuing a different career as he was not making enough money. He ran a group home for 14 years that dealt with children in the court system and also worked as a substitute teacher in Brooklyn, New York.