#8 “Sugar” Melvin McLaughlin, Creston HS
Nicknamed “Sugar,” Melvin was a long-range marksman who played before the three-point shot at Creston HS and CMU. He was named Mid-American Conference “Player of the Year” in 1982,
when he averaged 24.1 points a game, twice making first-team all-MAC. Sugar is CMU’s all-time leading scorer (2,071 points).Four times he broke the 40-point barrier, including a personal high of 46 vs. Bowling Green. His scoring average of 20.3 is third in CMU history, had a career FT percentage of .775 and is the career leader in steals at 196 and sixth in assists with 288. A sixth-round pick in 1983 by the Cleveland Cavaliers (#119 overall), but never suited up. In 2005, he was inducted to the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame. McLaughlin is a staple around the “Grand” Gus Macker 3-on-3 Tournament in GR.
photo credit: Mlive.com