Melvin Eugene Payton (July 16, 1926 – May 12, 2001) was an American professional basketball player born in Martinsville, Indiana.

He played for four years for the Tulane Green Wave, averaging 11.8 points per game.

[1] Payton was selected in the second round (19th pick overall) of 1951 NBA draft by the Philadelphia Warriors.

He played one season with the Warriors before being traded to the Indianapolis Olympians in exchange for Don Lofgran.

This biographical article relating to a United States basketball player, coach, or other figure born in the 1920s is a stub.