The man who stood as America's tallest Olympian for eight years
In short: Before the era of modern giants, Mel Counts was a towering presence in basketball. While his career was defined by playing in the shadows of legends like Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, he secured a rare double achievement: an Olympic gold medal and NBA championships.
Born on October 16, 1941, Mel Counts rose to prominence as a center for the Oregon State Beavers. Standing 7-0 (2.13 meters) and weighing approximately 230 lbs (105 kg), he was recognized as the tallest U.S. Olympian until Tommy Burleson arrived in 1972. His physical stature allowed him to enter the highest levels of the sport, where he became a key piece of two of the most dominant dynasties in basketball history. Counts' early professional journey began with the Boston Celtics, where he was selected in the 1964 NBA draft. During this period, he served as the backup to Bill Russell. Although his minutes were limited due to Russell's dominance, Counts' presence on the roster during the 1965 and 1966 seasons earned him two NBA championships.
This followed his success with the United States Olympic team, which secured a gold medal at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. His career later took him to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he backed up another legendary figure: Wilt Chamberlain. One of the most notable moments of this era occurred during the 1969 NBA Finals. In Game 7, with the Lakers trailing the Celtics by nine points and Chamberlain sidelined due to fouls, Counts entered the game. He managed to cut the deficit to just one point before the Lakers ultimately lost 108–106. After a journeyman career spanning several teams including the Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Jazz, Counts retired in 1976.
Counts' legacy is one of elite utility and physical presence. While he was not considered a primary starter or a 'great' center by some contemporary accounts, his ability to provide size and depth made him an essential asset for championship-caliber teams. He remains a significant figure in American basketball history as a bridge between the era of early NBA expansion and the heightier standards of modern athletics.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Mel Counts
- Also: Melvin Grant COUNTS
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