De'Anthony Melton

De'Anthony Melton(born May 28, 1998), nicknamed "Mr. Do Something",is an American professionalbasketballplayer for theGolden State Warriorsof theNational Basketball Association(NBA). He playedcollege basketballfor theUSC Trojansof thePac-12 Conference,but did not play in the 2017–18 season due to the events relating to the2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball corruption scandal.

De'Anthony Melton

Melton with theMemphis Grizzliesin 2021
No. 8 – Golden State Warriors
Position	Shooting guard/point guard
League	NBA
Personal information
Born	(1998-05-28)May 28, 1998 North Hollywood, California,U.S.
Listed height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight	200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school	Crespi Carmelite(Encino, California)
College	USC(2016–2017)
NBA draft	2018:2nd round, 46th overall pick
Selected by theHouston Rockets
Playing career	2018–present
Career history
2018–2019	Phoenix Suns
2018–2019	→Northern Arizona Suns
2019–2022	Memphis Grizzlies
2022–2024	Philadelphia 76ers
2024–present	Golden State Warriors
Statsat NBA.com
StatsatBasketball Reference

Melton was selected by theHouston Rocketsin the second round of the2018 NBA draftwith the 46th pick, but was traded to thePhoenix Sunsbefore his rookie season began. After a season in Phoenix, he was dealt to theMemphis Grizzliesin July 2019. Melton spent three seasons in Memphis before being traded to thePhiladelphia 76ersduring the 2022 off-season.

High school career

Melton graduated fromCrespi Carmelite High SchoolinEncino, Californiain 2016, after having led his team to back-to-back state titles and leaving as the school's all-time leading scorer.

As a junior, Melton averaged 15.5 points. Melton had the game winning block in the state championship against Capital Christian High School in 2015.

As a senior, Melton averaged 20 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.5 steals.As a three-starrecruit,he committed to theUSC Trojanson November 20, 2015.He was one of three finalists for Mr. Basketball as the state player of the year, was named MaxPrep All-State first team, L.A. Times All-Area and the Daily News Player of the Year.

College career

Freshman year

Melton played in 36 games, starting in the last 25 games of the season that year. He averaged 8.3 points, 3.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game. On January 25, in an 84–76 win over future #2 pickLonzo Balland UCLA, Melton had 13 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and a block. He followed this performance with a 16-point, 7 rebound, 6 assist, 6 steal, and 2 block game against future #1 pickMarkelle Fultzand Washington on February 1.

Melton became the first freshman to record at least 300 points, 150 rebounds, 100 assists, 60 steals, and 35 blocks in their starting season sinceDwyane Wade.As a result of those starts, he was projected to be a key player for USC's upcoming season.

Sophomore year

On September 26, 2017, federal prosecutors in New York announced charges offraud and corruption against 10 people involved in college basketball,including USC assistant coach Tony Bland.The charges allege that Bland and other members involved allegedly received benefits from financial advisers and others to influence student-athletes to retain their services.Following the announcement, USC indefinitely suspended Melton in relation to the scandal due to a family member's involvement there. On February 21, 2018, Melton announced he would withdraw from USC and declare for the2018 NBA draft.

Professional career

Phoenix Suns (2018–2019)

Melton was selected with the 46th pick by theHouston Rocketsin the2018 NBA draft.He played for the Rockets during the2018 NBA Summer Leaguein Las Vegas. In five games, Melton recorded 16.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 3.0 steals per game. His best game during the event was on July 9 where he made 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists in a 104–90 win over theLos Angeles Clippers.On August 31, Melton was traded alongsideRyan Andersonto thePhoenix Sunsin exchange forBrandon KnightandMarquese Chriss.Melton signed with the Suns on September 21.He made his professional debut with the Suns on October 22, 2018, in a 123–103 loss to theGolden State Warriors,but did not record significant playing time until October 31 in a 120–90 loss to theSan Antonio Spurs.Melton was assigned to theNorthern Arizona Suns,Phoenix's development team in theNBA G League,for their first game of the season on November 3, 2018. He played the one game, a 118–108 loss to theSanta Cruz Warriors,and was recalled to Phoenix the next day.

On December 4, Melton recorded a professional high of 21 points in a 122–105 loss to theSacramento Kings.He also recorded a season-high 10 assists in a 102–93 win over theDenver Nuggetson January 12, 2019.Melton later suffered a right ankle sprain on January 24, leaving him out of action for close to a month before returning briefly for the NBA G League on February 20,and then played in the NBA proper three days later against theAtlanta Hawks.On March 16, Melton recorded a career-high 8 rebounds in a 138–136 overtime win over theNew Orleans Pelicans.

Melton was 2nd in the NBA in rookie steals in 2018–19 with 1.36 spg. When Melton was on the floor, he recorded steals more frequently than any other player in the NBA, ranking 1st with 3.3 steals per 100 possessions (min. 700 total minutes played). Among rookies to start in majority of their appearances, Melton's 3.3 steals per 100 possessions are tied for 6th most all-time in Basketball-Reference's database.

Memphis Grizzlies (2019–2022)

On July 7, 2019, the Suns traded Melton,Josh Jackson,and two second round picks to theMemphis Grizzliesin exchange forJevon CarterandKyle Korver.Melton made his Grizzlies debut on October 23, recording two assists in a 120–101 loss to theMiami Heat.On February 20, 2020, he scored a season-high 24 points, alongside six rebounds and three assists, in a 129–125 loss to theSacramento Kings.

On November 22, 2020, Melton re-signed with the Grizzlies on a 4-year, $34.6 million contract.On April 19, 2021, he scored a season-high 25 points, alongside eight rebounds, six assists and five steals in a 139–137 double overtime loss to theDenver Nuggets.Melton helped the Grizzlies qualify for the playoffs for the first time since2017,and they faced the top-seededUtah Jazzduring their first-round series. Melton made his playoff debut on May 23, 2021, recording two rebounds and two assists in a 112–109 Game 1 win.The Grizzlies ended up losing the series in five games.

On March 26, 2022, Melton scored a season-high 24 points, alongside three rebounds, two assists and three steals, in a 127–102 win over theMilwaukee Bucks.The Grizzlies qualified for the playoffs for a second straight season and faced theMinnesota Timberwolvesduring their first-round series. The Grizzlies were eventually eliminated by the eventual champions, theGolden State Warriors,in the second round.

Philadelphia 76ers (2022–2024)

On June 24, 2022, Melton was traded to thePhiladelphia 76ersin exchange forDanny Greenand the draft rights toDavid Roddy.Melton made his 76ers debut on October 18, scoring five points in a 126–117 loss to theBoston Celtics.

Melton finished the 2022-23 season with the 76ers averaging 10.1 points and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 39% from beyond the 3-point line.

Melton sustained a back injury during the 2023-24 season that limited his play to 38 games.Melton achieved career high averages in free-throw percentage (83.5%) and points per game (11.1), while matching his career high 1.6 steals per game from the previous season.

Golden State Warriors (2024–present)

On July 8, 2024, Melton signed with theGolden State Warriors.In 6 games (3 starts) for the Warriors, he average 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. On November 20, it was announced that Melton would require season–ending surgery to repair a partially–tornACL.

Career statistics

Legend

GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field goalpercentage	3P%	3-point field goalpercentage	FT%	Free throwpercentage
RPG	Reboundsper game	APG	Assistsper game	SPG	Stealsper game
BPG	Blocksper game	PPG	Points per game	Bold	Career high

NBA

Regular season

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2018–19	Phoenix	50	31	19.7	.391	.305	.750	2.7	3.2	1.4	.5	5.0
2019–20	Memphis	60	8	19.5	.401	.286	.769	3.7	2.9	1.3	.3	7.6
2020–21	Memphis	52	1	20.1	.438	.412	.804	3.1	2.5	1.2	.6	9.1
2021–22	Memphis	73	15	22.7	.404	.374	.750	4.5	2.7	1.4	.5	10.8
2022–23	Philadelphia	77	58	27.9	.425	.390	.793	4.1	2.6	1.6	.5	10.1
2023–24	Philadelphia	38	33	26.9	.386	.360	.835	3.7	3.0	1.6	.4	11.1
2024–25	Golden State	6	2	20.2	.407	.371	.625	3.3	2.8	1.2	.3	10.3
Career		356	148	22.9	.410	.369	.779	3.7	2.8	1.4	.5	9.1

Play-in

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2020	Memphis	1	0	14.4	.250	1.000	–	4.0	1.0	2.0	.0	3.0
2021	Memphis	2	0	10.7	.375	.250	–	1.5	.5	.0	.5	3.5
Career		3	0	11.9	.333	.400	–	2.3	.7	.7	.3	3.3

Playoffs

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2021	Memphis	5	0	16.7	.355	.300	.600	3.2	1.0	.2	.8	6.2
2022	Memphis	10	0	17.0	.323	.250	.750	3.1	1.6	1.0	.5	5.6
2023	Philadelphia	11	0	24.9	.383	.388	.750	3.3	1.6	1.2	.8	7.9
2024	Philadelphia	1	0	7.2	.000	.000	—	1.0	1.0	.0	.0	.0
Career		27	0	19.8	.352	.313	.706	3.1	1.5	.9	.7	6.4

College

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2016–17	USC	36	25	27.0	.437	.284	.706	4.7	3.5	1.9	1.0	8.3

External links

• Career statistics fromNBA.comandBasketball Reference
• USC Trojans Bio