2018 Orlando Magic NBA Draft Preview: Who is De’Anthony Melton?

By Ricky Scricca | May 29, 2018

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 08: USC guard DeAnthony Melton (22) looks on during the first round game of the Pac-12 Tournament between the Washington Huskies and the USC Trojans on March 8, 2017, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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Draft Sites Say

Mike Schmitz, ESPN

"As a freshman, Melton was the only player in the NCAA to average at least 10 points, five rebounds, five assists, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per 40 minutes. Only seven players in NCAA history have posted such stats, with Dwyane Wade and Doug Christie headlining the group. Despite some limitations as a shooter and ball handler, it’s Melton’s instincts, defensive versatility and unselfishness at 6-3, 195 pounds with a 6-8 wingspan that make him intriguing to teams that are already full of talented shot-makers and ball handlers."

Cole Zwicker, The Stepien

"Melton, similar to Bridges, projects as a high level role-player in the NBA as a two-way combo guard with high-level functional athleticism, elite defensive instincts and who can also play make for others offensively. As with most players, shooting development is crucial for Melton. If he develops a workable spot up 3 he profiles as a potentially excellent two-way secondary creator at the next level as someone who contributes to winning basketball and who is ideally paired with a wing primary creator."

Paolo Uggetti, The Ringer

"Through the end of January, Melton was the only player in the nation averaging at least five assists, 1.5 blocks, and 2.5 steals per 40 minutes. His 99.5 defensive rating at season’s end was tops on his own team among players with at least 500 minutes, and especially impressive considering the team has an overall defensive rating of 103.2, which ranks 192nd in the nation. He also finished the season with the Pac-12’s best steal percentage, 18th in the nation, and as the only qualified player in all of college basketball to average two steals and one block per game. “He has an ability to contribute without having to score the basketball,” (USC Director of Scouting Martin) Bahar says. “Which a lot of players struggle with.”"

Ben Parker, NBA Draft.net

"Small 2-guard with impressive physical profile and defensive potential … Good court vision, knows how to push the ball in the open floor, quick release on his passes, able to find guys in the open floor for easy transition buckets … Very accurate passer. . . . While possessing the ability to score in a wide variety of ways, he wasn’t the best pure scorer in college … Averaged a modest 8.3 points per game in 27 minutes of action per game … He shot 28.4% from 3-point range and 70.6% from the foul line, so his shooting ability will have to get a lot more consistent if he wants to thrive in the NBA."