It should come as very little of a surprise to SU Basketball fans, but Orange center Fab Melo announced on Thursday that he is entering himself into the 2012 NBA Draft.
"After meeting with my mother, my family and Coach Boeheim, I have decided to enter my name in to the 2012 NBA Draft, said Melo in a statement, "Being able to play professional basketball has been my dream since I first starting playing this game and now I have the opportunity to accomplish that dream.
Melo missed the entire NCAA Tournament with an eligibilty issue. It has been reported by the Sporting News that Melo has signed with sports agent Arn Tellem, taking away any possibility of future eligibility at SU. Melo was named Big East defensive player of the year in his sophomore season, averaging 7.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game. He credits Syracuse for getting him ready to go pro.
"Coach Boeheim, Coach Hopkins and the rest of the Syracuse staff have helped me develop as a player and as a man and I will always be appreciative for what they've done for me. I wish Syracuse University, the basketball program and the Syracuse fans nothing but the best."