Hirsch, Mel

Melvin M. Hirsch

In the 1940s, Hirsch played at Brooklyn College before turning professional. He played in the NBA with the Boston Celtics during the league's first year of existence.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. July 31, 1921 - d. Dec. 1968

Career Highlights:
After leading his team to a record of 11-6 in 1941, Hirsch led the team in scoring with 195 points (sixth in the Metropolitan area) as Brooklyn College finished 10-7. In the final game of the season, Brooklyn lost to rival Manhattan College, 63-54, although Hirsch scored a team-high 14 points. After the game, the New York Times wrote, �If Brooklyn had two or three more Mel Hirschs, the outcome might have been different, for Hirsch�was all over the floor, sneaking in for rebounds and intercepting an occasional pass.�

Named as a reserve to the All-Metropolitan team in 1942, Hirsch (the highest scoring Jewish player in New York City that year), played in a charity event against Virginia Union. In his senior season (1943), Brooklyn did not play quite as well and finished the season 6-12.

In 1946-47, Hirsch joined the Boston Celtics of the newly formed NBA (then called the Basketball Association of America). In his only season in the NBA, he played in 13 games and scored 19 points for the Celtics, which finished 22-38 and missed the playoffs.

Origin:
New York

Career Dates:
Hirsch played forward at Brooklyn College from 1941-1943. He played in the NBA for the Boston Celtics in 1946-47.

Physical description:
5'8", 165 pounds

Career Statistics:
In the NBA:
Games: 13
Points: 19
Points Per Game: 1.5

Field Goals Made: 9
Field Goals Attempted: 45
Field Goal Percentage: .200

Free Throws Made: 1
Free Throws Attempted: 2
Free Throw Percentage: .500

Rebounds: not available
Assists: 10
Assists Per Game: 0.8
Personal Fouls: 18

< Previous |  Next >