Syracuse issued a statement Saturday saying that sophomore center Fab Melo is not with the team on its current road trip, which includes games tonight at Notre Dame and at Cincinnati (Jan. 23).
Andy Katz of ESPN reported, per a source, that Melo is being held out because of an “unresolved academic issue from the first semester.”
The 7-foot Melo is averaging 7.2 points and 5.7 rebounds for the No. 1 and unbeaten Orange (20-0).
In a separate development, junior Mookie Jones “has left Syracuse University for personal reasons, and currently is not a member of the team.”
Reached by phone, Peekskill High School coach Lou Panzanaro told SNY.tv he was unaware of the development and had no idea why Jones left.
The 6-6 Jones was averaging 2.9 points and 0.6 rebounds in limited playing time.