Fab Melo declares for NBA draft

[Tugg Speedman]

http://espn.go.com/nba/draft2012/story/_/id/7779795/2012-nba-draft-syracuse-orange-fab-melo-declares-draft

Syracuse center Fab Melo is entering the NBA draft after a breakout season in which he twice got held out because of eligibility issues.

"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," Melo said in a statement released by the school.

The 7-foot sophomore from Brazil made the announcement on Thursday. He averaged 7.8 points and 5.8 rebounds for Syracuse (34-3) this past season. He led the Big East in blocks per game and was named the conference's defensive player of the year.

Melo missed three games in late January because of an academic issue, was reinstated, and just before the start of the NCAA tournament was ruled ineligible again and did not play another game.

The Orange, the East's top seed, still advanced to the round of eight before a loss to Ohio State deprived them of a berth in the Final Four.

[bobnoxious]

What a joke, larry hughes is a name that comes to mind in terms of going to early

[brewcity77]

What was the alternative, sitting out with further academic issues his junior year? Even if he doesn't get drafted, it's pretty clear that he was never going to thrive in a college setting.

[tower912]

He kind of had to.   

[4everwarriors]

What's the over/under on his Wonderlick?

[Tugg Speedman]

NBA Draftnet has Melo going as the last pick in the first round to the Bulls.

http://www.nbadraft.net/2012mock_draft

This would be good for Jimmy Butler, bad news for Scalabrine (Jackie Moon)

[wadesworld]

What's the over/under on his Wonderlick?

2

[ecompt]

The good thing is, he will always have those seven Syracuse credits to fall back on.

[GGGG]

What a joke, larry hughes is a name that comes to mind in terms of going to early

Poor analogy.  Larry Hughes had younger brother with a heart defect and his single mother couldn't afford his care.  Even his coach, Charlie Spoonhour, said he needed to earn some money.  He spent 14 seasons in the league - not a bad career.

[Canadian Dimes]

Ya i dont remember fab droppin 40 any time??

[Dreadman24]

Poor analogy.  Larry Hughes had younger brother with a heart defect and his single mother couldn't afford his care.  Even his coach, Charlie Spoonhour, said he needed to earn some money.  He spent 14 seasons in the league - not a bad career.

+1

[GB Warrior]

I had high hopes that by the end of 4 years, he'd be able to spell his name.

[strotty]

Can't teach a seven-footer with hands. He'll be fine.

[cheebs09]

Can't teach a seven-footer with hands. He'll be fine.

This statement can be true in a number of ways.

[patso]

Academia takes another smack

[GGGG]

Can't teach a seven-footer with hands. He'll be fine.

Yeah, he will likely have a lengthy career and earn enough to live the rest of his life off of.  Hell, Kwame Brown is still in the league.

But I doubt he will ever be considered "good."

[wyzgy]

What's the over/under on his Wonderlick?

now that is funny right there=good one.  if i were still in my child bearing years, would i name my next kid john, peter, dick, fred, or fab??  tough call.  must be named after his great-great grand daddy back before they flew the coup

[brewcity77]

now that is funny right there=good one.  if i were still in my child bearing years, would i name my next kid john, peter, dick, fred, or fab??  tough call.  must be named after his great-great grand daddy back before they flew the coup

He's also from Brazil...so they may not be as likely to go with Peter or Fred.

[martyconlonontherun]

What's the over/under on his Wonderlick?

It is the Wonderlic Test, not Wonderlick. It is also a test for NFL prospects. Normally, I wouldn't care with the some mistakes but I find it funny you are insulting a kid's intelligence while making your own mistakes.

I think it is a good decision for him. This is a situation where fans put their own "needs" ahead of what is really the right decision for the kid. His options are:

A)Stay in school
Get paid $0 next year
Pretend to be a college student
Hope not to have suspension carry over til next year

B)Enter the NBA draft
Hope to get a guaranteed mil$ contract, fall back on 6 figures in Europe.
Work on your game instead of trying to fit into a school atmosphere

I've seen players come back to school lots of times only to have their draft stock sink or destroyed due to injuries. If you can get guaranteed money, you take...especially if you hate school.

[MarsupialMadness]

now that is funny right there=good one.  if i were still in my child bearing years, would i name my next kid john, peter, dick, fred, or fab??  tough call.  must be named after his great-great grand daddy back before they flew the coup

His real name is Fabricio, a pretty common name.

[buckchuckler]

now that is funny right there=good one.  if i were still in my child bearing years, would i name my next kid john, peter, dick, fred, or fab??  tough call.  must be named after his great-great grand daddy back before they flew the coup

He's from Brazil.  Not everyone needs to have English names.  Especially if that isn't their heritage.  

[wyzgy]

sometimes people need to lighten up a little, have some fun, let yer hairs down and laugh-it works. 
if fab feels the nba is best for him-go for it.  i remember when al gave his blessings to jim chones.  he knew it was best for him and his family and he would do well there for more people and he was right on, not to mention very unselfish

[Dawson Rental]

NBA Draftnet has Melo going as the last pick in the first round to the Bulls.

http://www.nbadraft.net/2012mock_draft

This would be good for Jimmy Butler, bad news for Scalabrine (Jackie Moon)

The word is that Scalabrine is ready for his career to be over anytime.  Since he's finishing his career as a Chicago Bull, its quite possible that he'll start his coaching career there.  Thibs loves him, and he's tired of moving the family.

[Dawson Rental]

The good thing is, he will always have those seven Syracuse credits to fall back on.

If the NBA passes, it'll provide a great start toward his JUCO degree.

[Dawson Rental]

This is actually great news for Syracuse as an early entrant his academic lack of progress won't count toward Syracuse's Academic Progress Rate.