Who is De'Anthony Melton? De'Anthony Melton, known as "Mr. Do Something," is a dynamic American professional basketball player currently with the Golden State Warriors. Born on May 28, 1998, in Los Angeles, California, Melton has carved out a notable career in the NBA. Standing at 6'4", he plays the wing position and is celebrated for his defensive prowess and versatility. Drafted by the Houston Rockets in 2018, Melton's journey has seen him play for the Phoenix Suns, Memphis Grizzlies, and Philadelphia 76ers before joining the Warriors. His high school and college careers were marked by impressive stats and achievements, setting the stage for his professional success.
Key Takeaways:
- De'Anthony Melton's basketball journey began in Los Angeles, where he excelled in high school and college before making a mark in the NBA. His versatility and all-around game have made him a valuable player on multiple teams.
- Known for his defensive prowess and all-around contributions, De'Anthony Melton has navigated through team changes in the NBA, showcasing consistent improvement. His recent move to the Golden State Warriors presents an exciting opportunity for his career.
Early Life and High School Achievements
De'Anthony Melton's journey to the NBA began in Los Angeles, California. His early years were marked by impressive achievements that set the stage for his professional career.
- Birthdate: May 28, 1998
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
- Nickname: "Mr. Do Something" – This nickname reflects his versatile playing style and ability to impact the game in multiple ways.
- Height: 6'4" – His height gives him an advantage in both offensive and defensive plays.
- Position: Wing – Known for his flexibility on the court, Melton excels in this role.
- High School: Crespi Carmelite High School (Encino, California) – This is where his basketball talent truly began to shine.
- Led his team to back-to-back state titles – A testament to his leadership and skill.
- Graduated as the school's all-time leading scorer – His scoring ability was evident early on.
- Averaged 15.5 points as a junior – Consistent performance throughout his high school career.
- Averaged 20 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 3.5 steals as a senior – Showcasing his all-around game.
College Career at USC
Melton continued to build his basketball resume at USC, where he played for the Trojans and made significant contributions to the team.
- College: USC Trojans (Pac-12 Conference) – A major step up from high school basketball.
- Played in 36 games, starting in the last 25 games of his freshman season – Quickly became a key player for the team.
- Averaged 8.3 points, 3.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game – Solid stats for a freshman.
- Notable performances included 13 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and a block against UCLA – A standout game against a major rival.
- 16 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 steals, and 2 blocks against Washington – Another impressive performance showcasing his versatility.
NCAA Scandal and Draft
Melton's college career was cut short due to a scandal, but he quickly transitioned to the professional level.
- Suspended indefinitely due to a family member's involvement in the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball corruption scandal – A significant setback.
- Announced withdrawal from USC and declared for the 2018 NBA draft on February 21, 2018 – A bold move to pursue his professional dreams.
- Drafted by the Houston Rockets with the 46th pick in the 2018 NBA draft – His entry into the NBA.
- Traded to the Phoenix Suns before his rookie season began – A quick change of teams.
Professional Career Highlights
Melton's professional career has seen him play for multiple teams, each time making a notable impact.
- Made his professional debut with the Phoenix Suns on October 22, 2018 – The beginning of his NBA journey.
- Recorded a professional high of 21 points in a 122–105 loss to the Sacramento Kings on December 4, 2018 – A career milestone.
- Recorded a season-high 10 assists in a 102–93 win over the Denver Nuggets on January 12, 2019 – Showcasing his playmaking ability.
- Suffered a right ankle sprain on January 24, 2019, which kept him out of action for close to a month – An unfortunate injury.
- Traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in July 2019 – Another team change.
- Spent three seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies – A period of growth and development.
- Upped his scoring average to double figures (10.8 points per game) across 73 games in the 2021–22 season – Consistent improvement.
- Traded to the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2022 off-season – Continuing his NBA journey.
- Played a key role off the bench for the Philadelphia 76ers – Contributing to the team's success.
- Averaged 7.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game in the 2022–23 season – Solid stats off the bench.
- Signed a one-year, $12.8 million deal with the Golden State Warriors during the offseason – A significant contract.
- Expected to fill a role off the bench in a backcourt where Stephen Curry will run the show at point guard – A strategic fit for the team.
- His defensive ability makes him an intriguing option to pair next to Curry – Known for his defense.
- Would be a liability on the offensive end compared to other options – An area for improvement.
Advanced Stats and Performance Metrics
Melton's game can be analyzed through various advanced statistics that highlight his strengths and areas for improvement.
- The orange/blue numbers show Melton's percentile rank in various offensive statistics relative to his position – Detailed performance metrics.
- Shooting Stats by Location – Insights into his shooting efficiency from different spots on the court.
- Foul Drawing Stats – Data on his ability to draw fouls, crucial for team offense.
- Defense and Rebounding Stats – Comprehensive stats on his defensive and rebounding abilities.
- Usage Percentage – An estimate of the percentage of team plays used by Melton while on the floor.
- True Shooting Percentage (TS%) – Measures his shooting efficiency, accounting for field goals, free throws, and three-pointers.
- Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) – Adjusts field goal percentage to account for three-pointers.
- Three-Point Attempt Rate – The percentage of field goal attempts from three-point range.
- Free Throw Rate – The number of free throw attempts per field goal attempt.
- Offensive Rebound Percentage – An estimate of the percentage of available offensive rebounds he grabbed.
- Defensive Rebound Percentage – An estimate of the percentage of available defensive rebounds he grabbed.
- Total Rebound Percentage – An estimate of the percentage of available rebounds he grabbed.
- Assist Percentage – An estimate of the percentage of teammate field goals he assisted.
- Steal Percentage – An estimate of the percentage of opponent possessions that ended with a steal by Melton.
- Block Percentage – An estimate of the percentage of opponent two-point field goal attempts blocked by Melton.
- Turnover Percentage – An estimate of turnovers committed per 100 plays.
- Fantasy Points Per Game – NBA fantasy points per game, useful for fantasy basketball enthusiasts.
De'Anthony Melton: A Rising Star
De'Anthony Melton's journey from Crespi Carmelite High School to the Golden State Warriors showcases his dedication and talent. Known as "Mr. Do Something," Melton's defensive prowess and versatility make him a valuable asset. His high school achievements, college highlights at USC, and professional milestones with teams like the Phoenix Suns, Memphis Grizzlies, and Philadelphia 76ers highlight his growth. Despite facing challenges like the NCAA scandal, Melton's resilience shines through. Now with the Warriors, his role off the bench and defensive skills will be crucial. Fans and analysts eagerly await his contributions to the team's success. Melton's story is a testament to hard work, perseverance, and the impact of a versatile player in the NBA. Keep an eye on this rising star as he continues to make waves in the basketball world.
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