By ZACH SMART
Central Pointe Christian Academy (FL) Class of 2021 prospect R.J. Melendez has emerged into one of the nation’s fastest rising high major targets.
The 6-foot-7 Melendez, who is from Puerto Rico originally, has garnered offers from Virginia Tech, DePaul, Ole Miss, LSU, Nebraska, and VCU in the last week alone.
Melendez averaged a team best 18.6 PPG and shot 40 percent from 3-point territory while playing in both the talent rich SIAA-FL conference and on the prestigious Grind Session circuit.
It was Melendez’ dunk and 3-pointer with one minute remaining that led Central Pointe back from a four-point deficit to defeat national power West Oaks Academy en route to the program’s first ever SIAA Florida state title.
He wound up taking home SIAA state tournament MVP honors. Melendez has subsequently raised his profile among high major programs, entertaining Zoom interviews with coaches every other day.
Florida, Oklahoma State, St. John’s, South Florida, UCF, Georgia Tech, Western Kentucky, and plenty of others have offers on the table for the long and versatile scorer.
“The main thing with RJ’s success was mostly thinking through the process in terms of day in and day out, working on his weaknesses and learning how to read the game better,” said Central Pointe assistant coach and Central Florida area trainer Carlos Morales Jr., who has nurtured the once obscure Melendez’s development.
“I think that was key. He kept getting better and better as the season went on at reading the game. So, it started coming to him naturally. Everything started clicking then. All of his athletic ability and the basketball skill set that he has—when he put that together, he thrived.”
Morales Jr. is the President and Founder of International Basketball Training. He’s worked with the likes of Tacko Fall and several professionals. He explained that reaching out to various college coaches and getting them to see Melendez both on film and live has played a role in the hotly pursued 2021 prospect’s sudden ascension.
“R.J.’s ceiling is really up to him,” Morales explained.
“At the next level, he’s going to be very impressive. I think this year is going to be huge for him as a senior. To get himself ready so he can play the two and the three at the highest level of college basketball. I really do believe he has a shot at being one of the next Puerto Rican’s to make it to the NBA. We’re looking forward to keeping him focused and working with him. He’s lifting every day, he’s working every day. We are going to do everything necessary here to keep getting him better.”
With graduation claiming Central Pointe Christian Academy sharpshooter Victor Rosa (FGCU), bullish dish first point guard Luis Rolon (FGCU), and 6-foot-9 mobile big Jonathan Aybar (North Florida), Melendez is flushed into a prominent role as a seasoned senior with the White Tigers. All signs point to Central Pointe reloading with known and unknown talent.
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