Jerry Mullen

Jerry Mullen (November 23, 1933 – September, 1979) 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.

Jerry Mullen

Personal information
Born	November 23, 1933 Berkeley, California
Died	September, 1979 (aged 45)
Nationality	American
Listed height	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight	200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school	St. Mary's (Berkeley, California)
College	San Francisco (1951–1955)
NBA draft	1955: 2nd round, 11th overall pick
Selected by the New York Knicks
Playing career	1955–1961
Position	Forward
Number	14
Career history
1955–1961	Wichita Vickers
Career highlights and awards
AP honorable mention All-American (1955) NCAA champion (1955) AAU champion (1959)
Stats at Basketball Reference

Mullen, a 6'5 forward from St. Mary's College High School in Berkeley, California, played college basketball at the University of San Francisco from 1951 to 1955. 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.^[1]

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.^[2]

After his AAU playing days were over, Jerry Mullen returned to his home state of California for a career in sales and consulting. He died in September 1979 at the age of 45.^[1]

References

1. Johnson, James W. (2009). The Dandy Dons. Bison Books. ISBN 0-8032-7117-4.
2. Grundman, Adolph H. (2004). The Golden Age of Amateur Basketball: The AAU tournament, 1921-1968. University of Nebraska Press. ISBN 0803271174.