NBA Draft Preview: Fab Melo

   After a drama filled sophomore season Fab Melo decided it was time to turn pro. Melo was not allowed to play in the NCAA tournament after the school deemed him ineligible. He ended the year averaging 7.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game. His defensive performances helped him earn the Big East Defensive Player of the Year crown. Melo is measured at 7' tall and weighs 255 pounds.
   Pros: At 7 feet tall Melo is a hot commodity in the NBA. In a league where you can never have enough big men, his size is his best asset. He has an overall nose for the ball. He defends extremely well and alters shots consistently. He disrupts players from getting clean drives to the rim, a good help defender. He is a great rebounder.
   Cons: Melo is a work in progress on the offensive end. He has no jump shot. His back to the basket game is satisfactory, but not NBA caliber. He is prone to get in foul trouble.
   Overall Melo is a young enough player that some of these skills can be learned. He has tremendous talent and appears to have a tremendous upside. Most mock drafts have Melo going between pick 22 and 28. There may be a chance a team would trade to get him, but there are some playoff teams in the late first round   that would love to have a defensive 7 footer. I don't see him being a superstar of any kind, but he could develop into a solid center for a team.
   Coming up in the near future will be the Scoop Jardine and Kris Joseph draft previews from Syracuse Pros.