By SAM LANCE
NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — Top-125 class of 2025 prospect Melvin Bell has set official visits to San Jose State (Sept. 13-15) and Murray State (Sept. 20-22), he told ZAGSBLOG.
Bell — the 6-foot-4, 190-pound guard from La Lumiere (IN) and the Meanstreets Nike EYBL AAU program — said those two programs are also recruiting him hardest.
Below is Bell’s breakdown of each program:
Murray State: “You know they’ve just been talking to me. They’ve just been on me. They really like me. They really like my game, my playing style. I can fit right in because you know Ja Morant went there. I feel like I kind of mirror his game a little bit, so I’ll be able to fit in. Yeah that’s really about it.” Hearing from head coach Steve Prohm and assistant Brendan Mullins.
San Jose State: “They said they love my game and how I play with a chip on my shoulder since coming back from my injury. They think I can be a good fit and factor to their team.”
Bell shattered his tibia and ruptured his patellar tendon during 15u AAU ball in the spring.
“I was out for like a year,” Bell said. “I’m feeling real good now.”
At Peach Jam, Bell averaged 14.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game to help Meanstreets to a 6-2 record in the PIT. The guard also shot 61.9% from the floor and 50% from 3-point range.
“I’m a dog,” Bell said of his game. “I pick up full court. I can get downhill, shoot the ball a little bit. And I help my teammates make a play.”
The guard visited DePaul in late June, but Bell said DePaul “isn’t in the mix much anymore.”
Bell comes from a basketball family. Both of his parents played basketball in high school and so did his older sister.
“I’ve always been around basketball,” Bell said. “What really got me into basketball was my sister you know, just being around her in high school and just practicing with her.”
Bell is ranked the No. 111 overall prospect in the 2025 class by 247Sports. His favorite NBA player in Anthony Edwards.
“Melvin has been one the staples of our programs for the last few years,” Meanstreets 17u head coach Jerel McNeal said. “He is one of the best and most underrated two-way players in the country. Has great positional size, good athlete, and skill set. Off the court he’s a really smart kid, hard working and loyal. He’s quiet but actually really funny. He was one of our main leaders this year. He will contribute right away wherever he ends up!”
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