NIL Opportunities

Melendez's Career & Season Game-By-Game Stats (PDF)

2021-22 Sophomore

• Played in 32 games, starting 18, and averaged 6.0 points and 3.5 rebounds
• 10 points, six rebounds and three assists in NCAA Tournament first round vs. Arkansas (March 16)
• 12 points, four rebounds, and two assists in 2OT win over Michigan (March 2)
• First career double-double with 10 points and career-high 11 rebounds in win over Minnesota (Feb. 20)
• 10 points and four rebounds vs. Indiana (Jan. 19)
• Equaled career high with four assists in win at Minnesota (Jan. 16)
• 10 points in win at Nebraska (Jan. 10)
• Six rebounds in win over No. 14 Wisconsin (Jan. 7)
• Nine points, four boards and two steals in win over No. 2 Texas (Dec. 6)
• 13 points, seven rebounds and career-best three steals at No. 22 Maryland (Dec. 2)
• 15 points, six rebounds and two steals in win over Syracuse (Nov. 29)
• Career-high 17 points (7-11 FG) with four boards vs. Lindenwood (Nov. 25)
• Eight points with pair of threes vs. #16 Virginia (Nov. 20)
• Nine points and five rebounds vs. Monmouth (Nov. 14)
• Eight points vs. Kansas City (Nov. 11)
• Career-high three blocks in opener vs. Eastern Illinois (Nov. 7)

2021-22 Freshman

• Played in 22 games on the season, averaging 3.8 points and 1.7 rebounds
• Nine points and three assists in NCAA Tournament second round vs. No. 15 Houston (March 20)
• Missed three games from Feb. 24-March 3 after appendectomy
• Averaged 10.7 points over three-game stretch from Feb. 8-16
• 10 points in 11 minutes at Rutgers (Feb. 16)
• Set season highs with 14 points, six rebounds and two steals in win over Northwestern (Feb. 13)
• Eight points on 3-3 FG at No. 3 Purdue (Feb. 8)
• Six points and three rebounds in win at Northwestern (Jan. 29)
• Five points, five boards and career-high four assists vs. Saint Francis PA (Dec. 18)
• Four points in win over Rutgers (Dec. 3)
• First career start in Big Ten/ACC Challenge win over Notre Dame (Nov. 29), hitting two 3-pointers for six points
• Six points in eight minutes vs. Arkansas State (Nov. 12)
• Five points and three rebounds in college debut vs. Jackson State (Nov. 9)

High School

• Four-star recruit ranked No. 56 by ESPN, No. 93 by 247Sports Composite and No. 117 by Rivals
• 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
• Sunshine Independent Athletic Association (SIAA) Player of the Year and first-team All-SIAA
• Grind Session World Championship All-Star after averaging 24 points and helping CPCA advance to the quarterfinals
• Scored 30 points in Northeast Classic while winning King of the Court and was MVP of the TreywayTV All-Star Game
• Averaged 18.6 points as a junior, guiding CPCA to its first-ever SIAA state title and earning finals MVP honors
• Finished his career as CPCA’s all-time leading scorer with 2,006 points
• High school coach was Richie Dalmau
• Played in the 2019 U17 Centrobasket Championships, averaging 9.2 points and 3.2 rebounds while helping Puerto Rico to a silver medal

Personal

• Born Dec. 3, 2002
• Majoring in recreation, sport and tourism
• Parents are Mariel Vega and Omar Melendez
• Favorite player is Kobe Bryant
• Favorite athlete outside of basketball is Yadier Molina
• Favorite food is mofongo with skirt steak
• Hobbies include listening to music and playing Call of Duty and NBA 2K, and playing with his Great Pyranees puppy, JR
• Favorite artist is Bad Bunny
• Proudest basketball accomplishment is winning the 2022 Big Ten Championship
• Chose Illinois because, “The team is successful, I have a great bond with the players on and off the court, and the Big Ten is the best conference.”