RJ Meléndez

Meléndez was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. He attended high school at Central Pointe Christian Academy in Kissimmee, Florida.[1]

As a junior, he averaged 18.6 points per game. He led CPCA to its first-ever SIAA state title and earned finals MVP honors. He averaged 24.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.2 steals and 2.3 blocks as a senior, leading Central Pointe (CPCA) to a 33-7 record and took home Sunshine Independent Athletic Association (SIAA) Player of the Year and first-team All-SIAA. He finished his career as CPCA’s all-time leading scorer with 2,006 points. [2]

His high school coach was Boricua legend Richie Dalmau.[2]

In high school, Meléndez was rated a four-star recruit. He was ranked No. 56 by ESPN, No. 93 by 247Sports Composite and No. 117 by Rivals. He chose Illinois over Florida, Oklahoma State, Dayton, LSU, Ole Miss, VCU, Nebraska, Virginia Tech, DePaul, Iowa State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Alabama, St. John’s, Rhode Island, UMass, Florida Atlantic and South Florida. [3]

As a freshman, Meléndez played in 22 games. He averaged 3.8 points and 1.7 rebounds. [2]

In a matchup versus the University of Houston in the 2022 NCAA tournament, Meléndez was assessed a controversial technical foul for hanging on the rim after he completed a dunk. Hall of Fame basketball player Reggie Miller, now working as a broadcaster, stated “First of all, his momentum is taking him with him, he has to swing back,” Miller said. “You cannot give this young man a technical foul for this. He’s not showing up or anything, because if he doesn’t [hang on the rim] he is going to almost kill himself. You’ve gotta swing on the rim right here.” [4] The dunk cut the lead to 4 in favor of Houston, but the technical foul awarded Houston free throws and the basketball. Illinois coach Brad Underwood lamented the shift in momentum caused by the call. The Cougars won the game 68–53 and moved on to their second consecutive Sweet 16. [5] Meléndez provided nine points and three assists in the game. [2] The referee that made the call, Brian O'Connell, did not work another game for the remainder of the tournament.[6]

In his sophomore year, Meléndez' playing time increased, but his offensive performance declined to the point where he could only be counted on for his defense. After his disappointing sophomore season, Meléndez entered the transfer portal.

Melendez played in the 2019 U17 Centrobasket Championships. He averaged 9.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game and helped Puerto Rico to a silver medal. [2]

Meléndez is the son of Mariel Vega and Omar Meléndez. He is majoring in recreation, sport and tourism. [2]