By ZACH SMART
As the reigning SIAA Florida MVP, 6-foot-7 Class of 2021 R.J. Melendez continues to inprove his stock on the high-major market.
The high-rising Melendez, at Central Pointe Christian Academy High School (FL) via Puerto Rico, recently picked up offers from both Iowa State, Georgia and Illinois.
A deft shot-maker and versatile scoring threat with length and springboard bouncy athleticism, Melendez averaged 18 points and shot 40+ percent from beyond the arc in leading the White Tigers to the 2020 SIAA state championship over national power West Oaks Academy.
With sharpshooter Victor Rosa and one of the state’s best passers in Victor Rosa now at Florida Gulf Coast University, Melendez has inherited some ownership of this team. And while they’ve added new pieces and bigs since the departure of Jonathon Aybar (now at North Florida), Melendez will again be the focal point.
“The schools which are constantly in communication, in no particular order, are Illinois, Iowa State, UCF, South Florida, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Florida, Ole Miss, Georgia and Oklahoma State,” said Carlos Morales, the Director of IBT and reputable local trainer who has been instrumental in pushing the development of Melendez.
UCF appeared to be jockeying for front-runner status on Melendez, with Knights head coach Johnny Dawkins attending team practices and games last season. Central Pointe’s Kissimmee, Fla. located is just 40 minutes from UCF’s sprawling campus. Melendez and the entire CPCA program attended several games last year.
The competition has heightened, especially with Illinois appearing really high on him. Central Pointe will look to defend their 2020 SIAA title, albeit it will now be quite the daunting task.
West Oaks Academy, last year’s runner up, has reloaded with hotly pursued 6-foot-6 guard Wesley Cardet Jr as well as the highly south after and mobile/versatile 6-9 forwards, Ryan and Matt Bewley.
Things could get interesting this post season in the Central Florida area.
This post has been updated.
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