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2018 LA Clippers Draft Profile: De’Anthony Melton

By Jasmine Robinson

TULSA, OK - MARCH 19: De'Anthony Melton #22 of the USC Trojans reacts against the Baylor Bears during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 19, 2017 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
TULSA, OK - MARCH 19: De'Anthony Melton #22 of the USC Trojans reacts against the Baylor Bears during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 19, 2017 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Clippers have the 12th and 13th pick in this year’s NBA Draft. Might De’Anthony Melton be one of those picks?

The Los Angeles Clippers have not had a lottery pick in eight years. This year they have two, and at such a time that they are trying to recreate their self and find their identity, these two picks could be monumental. One of the players the Clippers worked out at their pre-draft workout earlier this week was De’Anthony Melton.

Melton is currently projected  to be a late first-rounder or early second-rounder. But say his stock goes up or he did amazing at the pre-draft workout. Who is De’Anthony Melton and should the Clippers draft him?

Basic Facts

Melton was born in North Hollywood, CA and is 20 years old (May 28, 1998). He is a sophomore point guard/shooting guard at USC.

  • Height: 6’3”
  • Weight: 193 lbs
  • 6’8.5″ wingspan
  • 8’3.5″ standing reach
  • Find more stats at cbssports.com

Stats at USC

In the 2016-17 season, Melton averaged 8.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists playing 27 minutes per game. He shot 43.7% from the field, 70.6% from the free throw line and 28.4% from 3. He did not play the 2017-18 season because of ineligibility due to the FBI investigation of the NCAA.

Strengths

Melton is a solid all-around player with potential to be molded into whatever seems fit. He’s a good defensive player with great court vision and can anticipate where the ball will be (averaged 1.9 steals and 1.0 block). His acute court vision also translates to offense, where he is a capable playmaker. Melton also isn’t afraid to drive to the basket and be aggressive in the paint.

Weaknesses

Melton’s most glaring weakness is his shooting. He definitely has room to improve (28.9 3P% and 70.6 FT%). That’s not up to par for an NBA guard, especially in today’s NBA where three pointers are everything.

Additionally, Melton didn’t place among the top players for any of the strength and agility exercises at the draft combine. But, that may just be a result of not having any real gameplay for over a year.

How he could fit in with the Clippers

Melton would definitely fit best as a playmaking point guard off the bench. It would be nice to have a distributor off the bench that can create for shooters around him. The fact that he can play on both sides of the ball makes him even more attractive.

He could also fit as a shooting guard, but primarily utilized as a defender. If he can focus in on his defense, he could be a defensive secret weapon off the bench. This would help strengthen the defense of the team in general.

In fact, Melton even told the Clippers that his favorite player to study is Avery Bradley. These two players are somewhat similar in their game and in their build.

Either way, the Clippers adding Melton would add to the team’s “young and hungry” persona.

“The Clipper organization is up-and-coming, and I could tell they’re hungry,” Melton told the Clippers. “Hungry because they want success right away and I think I can bring that.”Melton has a lot to prove after missing a season at USC.

He grew up in LA, went to school in LA, and now will he go pro in LA?

Although the Clippers are already pretty guard heavy, he could prove to be what the team needs.

Next: Glen "Big Baby" Davis facing jail time

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