Jerry Mullen
Encyclopedia
Jerry Mullen was an American
basketball
player. He was an All-American at the University of San Francisco
and a second round draft pick of the New York Knicks
.
Mullen, a 6'5 forward from St. Mary's College High School
in Berkeley, California
, played his college basketball at the University of San Francisco
from 1951-55. At USF, Mullen teamed with future Hall of Fame center Bill Russell
in the frontcourt to bring home the first of the Dons' consecutive national titles in 1955
. Mullen was a key player for the team, averaging 13.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game and earning AP
honorable mention All-America
honors that year. He was also named to the All-Western Regional team in the tournament.
After graduating from USF, Mullen was drafted in the second round (13th pick overall) of the 1955 NBA Draft
by the New York Knicks
. However, Mullen chose instead to continue his basketball career in the Amateur Athletic Union
, playing for the Wichita Vickers for six seasons. The Vickers won the AAU title in 1959 with Mullen playing a key reserve role.
After his AAU playing days were over, Jerry Mullen returned to his California for a career in sales and consulting. He died in September of 1979 at the age of 45.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. He was an All-American at the University of San Francisco
University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco , is a private, Jesuit/Catholic university located in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1855, USF was established as the first university in San Francisco. It is the second oldest institution for higher learning in California and the tenth-oldest university of...
and a second round draft pick of the New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
.
Mullen, a 6'5 forward from St. Mary's College High School
St. Mary's College High School
Saint Mary's College High School came into being as part of St. Mary's College of California, founded in 1863 by the Catholic Church, and put under the auspices of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools in 1868...
in Berkeley, California
Berkeley, California
Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
, played his college basketball at the University of San Francisco
San Francisco Dons men's basketball
The San Francisco Dons basketball team represents the University of San Francisco in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I men's college basketball. The Dons compete in the West Coast Conference, in which they have won sixteen regular season and one conference tournament...
from 1951-55. At USF, Mullen teamed with future Hall of Fame center Bill Russell
Bill Russell
William Felton "Bill" Russell is a retired American professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association...
in the frontcourt to bring home the first of the Dons' consecutive national titles in 1955
1955 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
-West region:-National Championship:-External links:* on Shrp Sports * , source for much of the information on this page....
. Mullen was a key player for the team, averaging 13.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game and earning AP
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
honorable mention All-America
NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans
The NCAA Men's Basketball All-American teams are honorary teams made up of those NCAA basketball players voted the best in the country by a variety of organizations.-History:...
honors that year. He was also named to the All-Western Regional team in the tournament.
After graduating from USF, Mullen was drafted in the second round (13th pick overall) of the 1955 NBA Draft
1955 NBA Draft
The 1955 NBA Draft was the ninth annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on April 13, 1955 before the 1955–56 season. In this draft, eight remaining NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players. In each round, the teams select in reverse...
by the New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
. However, Mullen chose instead to continue his basketball career in the Amateur Athletic Union
Amateur Athletic Union
The Amateur Athletic Union is one of the largest non-profit volunteer sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.-History:The AAU was founded in 1888 to...
, playing for the Wichita Vickers for six seasons. The Vickers won the AAU title in 1959 with Mullen playing a key reserve role.
After his AAU playing days were over, Jerry Mullen returned to his California for a career in sales and consulting. He died in September of 1979 at the age of 45.