Fab Melo has decided to enter into the 2012 NBA Draft, Syracuse Athletics announced in a press release Thursday.

The sophomore center will move on to play professionally after enjoying a breakout season for the Orange and consulting his family and SU head coach Jim Boeheim.

‘After meeting with my mother, my family and Coach Boeheim, I have decided to enter my name in to the 2012 NBA Draft,’ Melo said in the 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 leaves Syracuse after a tumultuous two-year career. As a freshman, he struggled to stay on the floor for extended minutes as a result of being out of shape. This season, though, was a complete turnaround for Melo who developed into dominant force in the middle of the Orange’s 2-3 zone before missing the NCAA Tournament due to an eligibility issue.

Melo plans to sign with an agent, according to the release.

The 7-foot center finished the season averaging 5.8 rebounds per game, and also blocked 2.9 blocks per contest, good for 11th in the nation. In Syracuse’s game against Seton Hall on Dec. 28, Melo set a school record with 10 blocks in one game. He was also honored as the Big East Defensive Player of the Year.

Melo is the second member of the 2011-12 Orange team to decide to turn pro, after guard Dion Waiters announced his decision on March 26. Melo will likely be a coveted center in the upcoming NBA draft, which takes place June 28 in Newark, N.J. A mock draft by draftexpress.com has the Miami Heat drafting Melo with the 28th pick of the first round.

Despite his strong year on the floor, his season was marred by controversy. He missed three games in January after being declared ineligible for an academic issue, and was then declared ineligible for the entire NCAA Tournament.

‘Coach Boeheim, Coach (Mike) 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,’ Melo said in the statement. ‘I wish Syracuse University, the basketball program and the Syracuse fans nothing but the best.’

cjiseman@syr.edu

Published on April 4, 2012 at 12:00 pm

Contact Chris: cjiseman@syr.edu | @chris_iseman