Syracuse Is Without Melo, Loses Mookie

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.

Written by Adam Zagoria

[email protected]

Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle. A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.