By MIKE McCURRY
USC sophomore guard De’Anthony Melton, projected as a late first-rounder per ESPN, announced via Twitter on Wednesday that he is withdrawing from school and is expected to turn pro.
Melton was previously ruled ineligible by the NCAA this season for his connection to the FBI probe.
I would like to announce pic.twitter.com/H2EDvQyZfg
— DeanthonyMelton (@DeAnthonyMelton) February 21, 2018
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound combo guard is a lockdown defender with a great makeup who does many things well on the court. Last season, he joined Dwayne Wade as the only freshmen in the last 25 seasons to average at least 4.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game.
Melton got a bad break for his involvement in the FBI’s investigation into the corruption of college basketball. The issue stems from former USC associate head coach Tony Bland allegedly funneling $5,000 to either a family member or close family friend of Melton.
ESPN’s latest mock draft projects Melton going 27th overall to the Celtics.
Photo: Getty Images
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