North Carolina State University Athletics
Pack's Melvin Hopes to Catch NBA's Eye
4/8/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
April 8, 2004
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C. - By putting together a strong senior season at NC State, Marcus Melvin certainly enhanced his NBA Draft status. Now the versatile 6-8 forward from Fayetteville hopes to raise his stock even more by performing in front of league scouts and general managers that will gather for this week's pre-draft camp in Portsmouth, Virginia. The Portsmouth Invitational, which opened on Wednesday, is an annual showcase that allows college seniors to show off their basketball skills over a four-day period.
In his final season with the Wolfpack, Melvin averaged 14.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 36 percent from 3-point range and 81.3 from the free throw line. Melvin, who was named to the All-ACC second team, led the Wolfpack in 3-point field goals with 59.
To go along with his scoring, Melvin evolved into a very good rebounder and a much-improved defender by his final season, two attributes that were rarely noticed as much as his offensive prowess.
"He's been a special player for us," said NC State head coach Herb Sendek. "I can remember writing him notes, whispering in his ear, yelling in his other ear that rebounding had to be more prevalent in his game. This past year he really took that to heart; he clearly was our best rebounder and he also was a very underrated defensive player. The way he helped off the ball and the way he covered for his teammates really went unnoticed by the casual observer."
A total of 64 players are invited to the Portsmouth Invitational, which features 11 games over four days. The field of participants is broken down into eight teams featuring eight players. The team on which Melvin will play features, among others, Western Kentucky center and Florida State transfer Nigel Dixon, Texas forward Brian Boddicker and Providence forward Marcus Douthit.
Two other ACC seniors - Georgia Tech's Marvin Lewis and Jamar Smith of Maryland - were also invited to participate.
