With the announcement of Pacers’ center Mel Daniels election into the Naismith Hall of Fame and the ensuing recognition for Daniels along with the American Basketball Association and the Indiana Pacers, the team announced Monday it will honor its three ABA championship teams when the Pacers close the regular season against the Chicago Bulls, Wednesday, Apr. 25, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
All surviving members of the three championship teams (1969-70, 1971-72 and 1972-73) have been invited and those attending will be cited at halftime in a special ceremony. There will be special recognition for Daniels, the two-time ABA MVP who played on all three teams and is the first Pacers’ player inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“These ABA championship teams mean so much to Indiana and basketball overall, and it’s great to show our appreciation,” said Larry Bird, Pacers president of basketball operations. “Further, it’s a well-deserved and long overdue honor for Mel Daniels to be put in a class with all of the elite players in the Hall of Fame.”
“The ABA championship team members represent the heritage of this Indiana Pacers franchise,” said Pacers owner and CEO, Herbert Simon. “Further, it’s a great thrill for all of us to honor Mel Daniels as the first Pacers player to be elected to the Hall of Fame, along with his teammates.”
Fans will be able to greet the players attending between 6:15 and 6:45 p.m. that evening as they enter Bankers Life Fieldhouse from Pennsylvania Street on the Pacers Blue Carpet. Following the game, team members will be available for a special autograph session.
