Melvin Utley (January 2, 1953 – September 24, 2019) was an American professional basketball player.

He emerged as a star while playing at Far Rockaway High School in his hometown of Queens, New York, and earned all-city honors during his senior year in 1971.

[1] Utley wished to tryout for the Knicks but the Cavaliers refused to release his draft rights and he ultimately never played a game in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

[4][5] Utley had an early retirement from playing basketball professionally at the urging of his mother, who insisted on him pursuing a different career as he was not making enough money.

[1] He ran a group home for 14 years that dealt with children in the court system and also worked as a substitute teacher in Brooklyn, New York.