De'Anthony Melton

De'Anthony Melton (born May 28, 1998), nicknamed "Mr. Do Something",[1] is an American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the USC Trojans of the Pac-12 Conference, but did not play in the 2017–18 season due to the events relating to the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball corruption scandal.

De'Anthony Melton
Melton with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2021
No. 8 Philadelphia 76ers
PositionShooting guard / point guard
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1998-05-28) May 28, 1998
North Hollywood, California, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High schoolCrespi Carmelite High School (Encino, California)
CollegeUSC (2016–2017)
NBA draft2018: 2nd round, 46th overall pick
Selected by the Houston Rockets
Playing career2018–present
Career history
2018–2019Phoenix Suns
2018–2019Northern Arizona Suns
20192022Memphis Grizzlies
2022–presentPhiladelphia 76ers
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Melton was selected by the Houston Rockets in the second round of the 2018 NBA draft with the 46th pick, but was traded to the Phoenix Suns before his rookie season began. After a season in Phoenix, he was dealt to the Memphis Grizzlies in July 2019. Melton spent three seasons in Memphis before being traded to the 76ers during the 2022 off-season.

High school career

Melton graduated from Crespi HS in Encino, Calif. in 2016, after having led his team to back-to-back state titles and leaving as the school's all-time leading scorer. As a three-star recruit, he committed to the USC Trojans on November 20, 2015.

College career

Freshman year

Melton played in 36 games, starting in the last 25 games of the season that year. He averaged 8.3 points, 3.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game. On January 25, in an 84–76 win over future #2 pick Lonzo Ball and UCLA, Melton had 13 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and a block. He followed this performance with a 16-point, 7 rebound, 6 assist, 6 steal, and 2 block game against future #1 pick Markelle Fultz and Washington on February 1.

Melton became the first freshman to record at least 300 points, 150 rebounds, 100 assists, 60 steals, and 35 blocks in their starting season since Dwyane Wade.[2] As a result of those starts, he was projected to be a key player for USC's upcoming season.[3]

Sophomore year

On September 26, 2017, federal prosecutors in New York announced charges of fraud and corruption against 10 people involved in college basketball, including USC assistant coach Tony Bland.[4] The charges allege that Bland and other members involved allegedly received benefits from financial advisers and others to influence student-athletes to retain their services.[5] Following the announcement, USC indefinitely suspended Melton in relation to the scandal due to a family member's involvement there. On February 21, 2018, Melton announced he would withdraw from USC and declare for the 2018 NBA draft.[6]

Professional career

Phoenix Suns (2018–2019)

Melton was selected with the 46th pick by the Houston Rockets in the 2018 NBA draft. He played for the Rockets during the 2018 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. In five games, Melton recorded 16.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 3.0 steals per game. His best game during the event was on July 9 where he made 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists in a 104–90 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.[7] On August 31, Melton was traded alongside Ryan Anderson to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Brandon Knight and Marquese Chriss.[8] Melton signed with the Suns on September 21.[9] He made his professional debut with the Suns on October 22, 2018, in a 123–103 loss to the Golden State Warriors, but did not record significant playing time until October 31 in a 120–90 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Melton was assigned to the Northern Arizona Suns, Phoenix's development team in the NBA G League, for their first game of the season on November 3, 2018. He played the one game, a 118–108 loss to the Santa Cruz Warriors, and was recalled to Phoenix the next day.

On December 4, Melton recorded a professional high of 21 points in a 122–105 loss to the Sacramento Kings.[10] He also recorded a season-high 10 assists in a 102–93 win over the Denver Nuggets on January 12, 2019.[11] Melton later suffered a right ankle sprain on January 24, leaving him out of action for close to a month before returning briefly for the NBA G League on February 20,[12] and then played in the NBA proper three days later against the Atlanta Hawks. On March 16, Melton recorded a career-high 8 rebounds in a 138–136 overtime win over the New Orleans Pelicans.[13]

Melton was 2nd in the NBA in rookie steals in 2018–19 with 1.36 spg. When Melton was on the floor, he recorded steals more frequently than any other player in the NBA, ranking 1st with 3.3 steals per 100 possessions (min. 700 total minutes played). Among rookies to start in majority of their appearances, Melton's 3.3 steals per 100 possessions are tied for 6th most all-time in Basketball-Reference's database.[14]

Memphis Grizzlies (2019–2022)

On July 7, 2019, the Suns traded Melton, Josh Jackson, and two second round picks to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Jevon Carter and Kyle Korver.[15] Melton made his Grizzlies debut on October 23, recording two assists in a 120–101 loss to the Miami Heat.[16] On February 20, 2020, he scored a season-high 24 points, alongside six rebounds and three assists, in a 129–125 loss to the Sacramento Kings.[17]

On November 22, 2020, Melton re-signed with the Grizzlies on a 4-year, $34.6 million contract.[18] On April 19, 2021, he scored a season-high 25 points, alongside eight rebounds, six assists and five steals in a 139–137 double overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets.[19] Melton helped the Grizzlies qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2017, and they faced the top-seeded Utah Jazz during their first-round series. Melton made his playoff debut on May 23, 2021, recording two rebounds and two assists in a 112–109 Game 1 win.[20] The Grizzlies ended up losing the series in five games.

On March 26, 2022, Melton scored a season-high 24 points, alongside three rebounds, two assists and three steals, in a 127–102 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.[21] The Grizzlies qualified for the playoffs for a second straight season and faced the Minnesota Timberwolves during their first-round series. The Grizzlies were eventually eliminated by the eventual champions, the Golden State Warriors, in the second round.

Philadelphia 76ers (2022–present)

On June 24, 2022, Melton was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Danny Green and the draft rights to David Roddy.[22] Melton made his 76ers debut on October 18, scoring five points in a 126–117 loss to the Boston Celtics.[23]

Melton finished his season with the 76ers averaging 10.1 points and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 39% from beyond the 3-point line.[24]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2018–19 Phoenix 503119.7.391.305.7502.73.21.4.55.0
2019–20 Memphis 60819.5.401.286.7693.72.91.3.37.6
2020–21 Memphis 52120.1.438.412.8043.12.51.2.69.1
2021–22 Memphis 731522.7.404.374.7504.52.71.4.510.8
2022–23 Philadelphia 775827.9.425.390.7934.12.61.6.510.1
Career 31211322.4.414.370.7713.72.71.4.58.8

Play-in

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2020 Memphis 1014.4.2501.0004.01.02.0.03.0
2021 Memphis 2010.7.375.2501.5.5.0.53.5
Career 3011.9.333.4002.3.7.7.33.3

Playoffs

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021 Memphis 5016.6.355.300.6003.21.0.2.86.2
2022 Memphis 10017.0.323.250.7503.11.61.0.55.6
2023 Philadelphia 11024.9.383.388.7503.31.61.2.87.9
Career 26020.3.356.319.7063.21.5.9.76.7

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2016–17 USC 362527.0.437.284.7064.73.51.91.08.3

References

  1. DiGiovanni, Sam (November 1, 2022). "Tyrese Maxey vocal on 'Mr. Do Something' De'Anthony Melton after 'huge' game in Sixers win vs. Wizards". ClutchPoints. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  2. "Phoenix Suns acquire Ryan Anderson, De'Anthony Melton in trade with Houston Rockets". NBA.com.
  3. "De'Anthony Melton to sit out remainder of USC Basketball's 2017-18 season". January 11, 2018.
  4. "NCAA coaches among 10 arrested for corruption". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  5. "FBI arrests four college basketball assistants on charges of fraud". USA TODAY. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  6. "De'Anthony Melton announces he's withdrawing from USC". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  7. "Houston Rockets: De'Anthony Melton turns heads at Summer League". July 15, 2018.
  8. "Suns Acquire Ryan Anderson and De'Anthony Melton from Houston". NBA.com. August 31, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  9. "Phoenix Suns Sign De'Anthony Melton". NBA.com.
  10. "Sacramento Kings vs Phoenix Suns Dec 4, 2018 Game Summary". NBA. December 4, 2018. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  11. "Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns Jan 12, 2019 Game Summary". NBA. January 12, 2019. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  12. "De'Anthony Melton set to play for Suns at Cleveland". February 20, 2019. Archived from the original on February 21, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  13. "Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Pelicans Mar 16, 2019 Game Summary". NBA. March 16, 2019. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  14. "2018-19 Season Rewind: De'Anthony Melton". NBA.com.
  15. "Grizzlies acquire Josh Jackson, De'anthony Melton and two future second round draft picks from Suns". NBA.com. July 7, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  16. "BUTLER MISSES MIAMI DEBUT, HEAT BEAT GRIZZLIES 120-101". NBA.com. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  17. "BARNES MAKES 7 3-POINTERS IN KINGS' WIN OVER GRIZZLIES". NBA.com. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  18. "Grizzlies re-sign De'Anthony Melton to multi-year contract". NBA.com. November 22, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  19. "JOKIC'S 47 LEADS NUGGETS OVER GRIZZLIES 139-137 IN 2 OTS". NBA.com. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  20. "8TH-SEEDED MEMPHIS BEATS NO. 1-SEEDED JAZZ IN SERIES OPENER". NBA.com. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  21. "MELTON, BANE LEAD MORANT-LESS GRIZZLIES PAST BUCKS, 127-102". NBA.com. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  22. "De'Anthony Melton Acquired by 76ers in Trade with Memphis Grizzlies". NBA.com. June 24, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  23. "TATUM, BROWN EACH SCORE 35, CELTICS BEAT 76ERS 126-117". NBA.com. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  24. "De'Anthony Melton". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
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