Orange Getting Ready for the next "Melo"

The Syracuse University Basketball Team will have another Melo on its squad in 2010. He's a 7 footer from Brazil named Fabricio De Melo. Recruited by several big time schools such as Louisville, Uconn, Florida St. and Florida, Fab Melo chose the Cuse.

The 7 foot 267 pound Melo transferred fro his school in Brazil to Sagemont High School in Florida. Because of Florida High School Athletic Association rules on international transfers, Melo had to sit out last season but will be eligible to play for Sagemont this year.

"He felt really comfortable with Coach Jim Boeheim, assistant coach Mike Hopkins and Bernie Fine," Sagemont High School Coach Adam Ross said. It really came down to that; feeling comfortable with the coaches and the school and the city." Coach Ross continued.

Even though Fab Melo didn't play this past season, he still created tremendous interest in the college coaching world. Coaches went to Sagemont to scout Div. l prospects and Melo caught their eye. Coach Ross believes Melo has all the skills coaches want to see in a post player. "Fab is a tremendous talent because not only does he have tremendous size but he has a very advanced skill set. For a high school junior who's 7-feet tall, his potential is limitless. He has all the tools college coaches look for to build on." Coach Ross said.

This pas Summer, Melo played in several elite camps and with his AAU team, the Florida Rams, on the AAU circuit. Melo also participated in the NBA's prestigious Players Association Top 100 Camp at the University of Virginia. While at the camp, Melo was so impressive that he was named to the First Team.

Coach Ross commented that it has been tough for Melo not being able to play high school ball this past school year, but that his conditioning has gotten better. Ross said he played in 50 games in the month of July, going from one extreme to the other. "He continues to work hard. He knows that's a key to his success.'' Coach Ross said.

Both Melo and Ross toured Syracuse University on an unofficial visit back in May. It was the third unofficial visit that Melo made. He also visited two other Big East schools; Louisville and Connecticut. Melo also made a visit to the University of Florida.

Melo had some pre-conceived ideas about the university and the city of Syracuse, but those trepidations were put to rest upon his visitation.
"He was very surprised by the campus and the town,'' Coach Ross said. "When we came out of the Carrier Dome, he said to me "I want to play in this place.''

Fab Melo has played on the Brazilian Junior National Team, but recently he's been playing in other events which took him away from the National Team. Melo is the most recent addition to an already outstanding Syracuse 2010 class. In fact, Dave Telep, the scouting director at Scout.com, ranks Melo at #5 in the Syracuse class of 2010.
Other Syracuse commitments include Dion Waiters, a 6'3 guard from Philadelphia, C.J. Fair, a 6'8 forward from Baltimore and Baye Moussa Keita, a 6'9 forward from Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, VA.

The Cuse is going to have an incredible season in 2010-11 with this class. The may very well win a national championship. The last Melo to lead Syracuse to a national title was Carmello Anthony in 2003. But I predict that Fab Melo will only attend the Cuse for 2 years, then it's off to the NBA. We shall see. Info in this blog was obtained from www.syracuse.com/orangebasketball.