He was drafted by the Houston Rockets in the 1971 NBA draft. He played for the Rockets for five years, before being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in his last NBA season. He went on to play two years in Europe before recurring back spasms forced his retirement. His best season statistically was his rookie season, when he averaged 9.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per games. Meely died at a Boulder, Colorado hospital in 2013 of a blood infection. He was 65.[1]