It comes as no surprise after the way his season ended, but Syracuse sophomore center Fab Melo has officially announced his plans to enter the NBA Draft.
“After meeting with my mother, my family and Coach [Jim] Boeheim, I have decided to enter my name in to the 2012 NBA Draft,” the 7-footer said in a statement.
“Being able to play professional basketball has been my dream since I first starting playing this game and now I have the opportunity to accomplish that dream. Coach Boeheim, Coach Hopkins and the rest of the Syracuse staff have helped me develop as a player and as a man and I will always be appreciative for what they’ve done for me. I wish Syracuse University, the basketball program and the Syracuse fans nothing but the best.”
Melo is the second Syracuse sophomore to announce for the draft, following Dion Waiters, the news of which was first reported by SNY.tv.
On the eve of the NCAA Tournament, Melo was declared ineligible for the rest of the season — and it was later reported his troubles were related to academics.
The Big East Defensive Player of the Year, Melo averaged 7.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.1 blocks this season.
Melo’s absence from the NCAA Tournament may well have cost Syracuse a shot at a national title.
The No. 1 seed in the East, they lost to Ohio State in the Regional Final without his shot-blocking presence down low.
As for Melo’s pro future, the veteran NBA scout said, “He has improved this year because he is in much better shape. He has a nice upside ahead of him. The downside is he does not take care of his weight and gains the weight back.”
Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com added: “He is a late first/early second round pick depending on who else declares. There are 10-15 guys that could move him up or down dramatically depending on whether they’re in or out.”
