After a dozen years playing professionally in Europe, this fall the 28-year-old will perform in the same cities and arenas where his idols once starred, launching his NBA career as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans. He’s had opportunities to come to the world’s premier hoops league in the recent past, but decided this summer that the timing was ideal to fulfill a lifelong objective. “I was watching the NBA on VHS at age 5,” Nicolo Melli remembered. “(Basketball) was love at first sight. It’s every kid’s dream to play in the NBA, but also for me playing 10 years in Euroleague. This summer, when (I had) certain vibes (from New Orleans pursuing him), I felt like it was the right decision. It was like the kid’s dream came back.”
Nicolo Melli Rumors
All NBA Players
Position: F
Born: 01/26/91
Height: 6-9 / 2.06
Weight:235 lbs. / 106.6 kg.
Salary: $4,102,564
Born: 01/26/91
Height: 6-9 / 2.06
Weight:235 lbs. / 106.6 kg.
Salary: $4,102,564
On a New Orleans roster filled with young talent and offensive potential, Melli’s all-around skill set was attractive for several reasons. It may not be immediately evident on paper why an NBA franchise pursued an international veteran who averaged a modest 7.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in ’18-19, but Melli is a highly-valued glue guy. His teams win a lot of games (Fenerbahce went 28-8 last season in Euroleague).
“That’s the appeal of scouting internationally, that it’s all about team and winning,” New Orleans General Manager Trajan Langdon said. “There are really no individualistic things that go on in Europe. When there is credit due, it’s to people who have won. A lot of times when people look at stat sheets and see a guy averaged nine points and three rebounds, (they say) why is he is the MVP of a game or a league? It’s because it’s not only about the stats; it’s what he brings to his team, whether it’s the defensive side of the floor, passing, screening. A guy like Nicolo, you can look at his stat line and be like, ‘I don’t understand the intrigue from the NBA for the last three years.’ But it’s what he brings – he’s a team-first guy, a winner. He’s highly motivated and a competitor. Those are the kind of people we want here, to be a part of the Pelicans organization. He’s another guy who’s going to make people better, on and off the court.”
Emiliano Carchia: Nicolò Melli said that two summers ago turned down a two-year, $8 million offer from the Hawks to sign, for less money, for Fenerbahce. He signed a 2yrs, $8M contract this summer with New Orleans Pelicans “Never made choices based only on salary” Melli told Resto del Carlino
“At 11pm my agent Matteo Comellini sent me a message with the proposal made by the Pelicans. I felt a strong vibration. The same I had two years ago the first time I spoke with coach Obradovic” Melli said. “I got the same proposal two summers ago from the Atlanta Hawks but I decided to sign with Fenerbahce for less money. My choices never depended on salary and the same happened this summer” Melli said.
Nicolo Melli will not play for Italy in the 2019 FIBA World Cup, but two of his teammates are making progress. Danilo Gallinari is now training individually and Luigi Datome joined his teammates but is still restricted in terms of fully participating in practices, per La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Emiliano Carchia: New Orleans Pelicans PF Nicoò Melli underwent knee surgery at the end of Turkish season. Melli will not join Italy’s National Team training camp ahead of FIBA WC and may miss the tournament in China. He will be re-evaluated week by week
30 Jun
Adrian Wojnarowski: EuroLeague power forward Nicolo Melli is finalizing a two-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, sources tell ESPN. Melli, 28, was the top scorer in the EuroLeague Finals for Fenerbahce last season.
17 Sep 18
David ‘Dubi’ Pick: Nemanja Bjelica will talk to his former Euroleague sweetheart Fenerbahce before his commits to a deal. Nicolo Melli will attack the NBA in 2019, Zeljko Obradovic needs a do-it-all star for the future. Not smart for Turks to allow rival clubs to snatch him long term.
25 Nov 17
Video 25 Nov 17
Euro ball players to keep an eye on
Nicolò Melli is working out with three NBA teams, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. The Italian forward born in 1991 is unlikely to be picked in the next NBA draft but he has been invited for some work outs by Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers.
Jerry Zgoda: Wolves have subbed Italian F Nicolo Melli for Delaware’s Jamelle Hagins in Sunday’s TC workouts that includes Shabazz & UK’s Goodwin
