Players

Gene Melchiorre

Year Inducted: 1975

Category: Players

Schools / Organizations: Highland Park High School
Bradley University

Biography: Gene “Squeaky” Melchiorre probably commanded more descriptive adjectives per inch of height than any other modern basketball player.  CCNY coach Nat Holman offered “there isn’t a more dangerous little man in basketball” during Melchiorre’s playing days at Bradley University from 1948-1951.  Before his days on the Braves powerhouses of the late 1940’s and early 1950’s, Gene played for Highland Park High School.  In his four seasons at Bradley, he scored 1,576 points in 137 games.  During his time in Peoria, the Braves finished 4^th and 2^nd in the NIT, second in the NCAA and 3^rd in the National Campus Basketball Tournament.  After his playing days, Gene worked in the sporting goods business in Deerfield.  Gene Melchiorre passed away on September 27, 2019.