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Nicolo Melli
Nicolo Melli
29-Year-Old ForwardF
New Orleans Pelicans
2019 Stats
PTS
6.6
REB
2.9
AST
1.4
STL
0.6
BLK
0.4
ROS Projections
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2019 Fantasy Outlook
A 28-year-old out of Italy, Melli signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Pelicans over the summer. He's been playing professionally overseas since 2010-11, and he most recently appeared in 78 games (68 starts) for Fenerbahce Ulker. In EuroLeague contests, he averaged 7.3 points on 5.9 shots, 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 25.9 minutes. He projects as a three-point threat at the NBA level, as he's cracked at least 40 percent from distance in each of the past four seasons. It's possible he earns reserve power forward minutes behind Zion Williamson, but he'll be competing against the likes of Darius Miller, Brandon Ingram, Derrick Favors and Kenrich Williams. Either way, it seems unlikely Melli will end up with standard league relevance, and he's even a risky deep league selection Read Past Outlooks
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Height 6'9"
Weight 235
DOB 1/26/1991
College Italy
Debut 2019
$Signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Pelicans in July of 2019.
Personal Bio

Nicolo Melli was born in 1991 in Reggio Emilia, a city in northern Italy. He is the son of Julie Vollertsen and Leopoldo Melli. His mom is a former volleyball player and a silver medalist with the United States at the 1984 Olympic Games. Nicolo has a younger brother, Enrico, who has also played professional basketball in Italy. In the fall of 2006, Melli participated in the Italian leg of the Jordan Classic Camp for promising under-16 players. Through the camp, Melli earned a spring 2007 trip to the USA. Later that year as a 16-year-old, he signed his first professional contract with Reggiana, the local professional team in Reggio Emilia. Melli also played on the senior Italian national team from 2011 to 2015. He is now a dual citizen of Italy and the United States. Fans can follow the forward on Twitter (@NikMelli).

College/International Summary

Prior to coming to the NBA, Melli spent more than 10 years in a variety of European leagues. The native of Italy signed his first professional contract at 16 years old with Pallacenestro Reggiana. He provided 3.4 points and 2.9 rebounds in 10.6 minutes. Melli's second season was cut short by a torn ACL. He returned in 2009-10 and became a starter. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 10.7 points and 7.1 rebounds, but he missed the playoffs with a shoulder injury. The following season, Melli moved to AX Armani Exchange Milano. His three-point shooting improved while in the top Italian league. In 2013-14, he hit 40.8 percent of his three-pointers. He averaged 7.8 points and 5.6 rebounds in 30 games that season. After five seasons with Armani, Melli moved to Germany to play for Brose Bamberg. He averaged at least 7.5 points and was named EuroLeague Round 11 MVP for scoring 27 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. After two seasons with Brose, he then moved to Turkey to play two seasons for Fenerbahce. Melli has also represented Italy in FIBA and EuroBasket competitions. He went undrafted in the 2013 NBA Draft, but he eventually signed with the New Orleans Pelicans in July 2019.

To start if Zion sits
FNew Orleans Pelicans
July 30, 2020
If Zion Williamson is unable to play, Melli will enter the starting lineup Thursday against Utah, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
It sounds like Williamson will be a game-time call, but in the event he's ruled out, Melli would become a fairly attractive DFS option at a discounted prices. Melli averaged 10.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists in nine games after the All-Star break.
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2019
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Average Fantasy Points
Average Fantasy Points are determined when Nicolo Melli was active vs. non-active during the season. Click here to view average fantasy points for a different time period.
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Transaction History
  • June 30, 2019
    Signed a rookie contract with the New Orleans Pelicans
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More Fantasy News
Solid off bench
FNew Orleans Pelicans
February 25, 2020
Melli posted 11 points (5-8 FG, 1-3 3Pt), six rebounds, two assists and a block in 27 minutes during the Pelicans' 118-109 loss to the Lakers.
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Hits six triples in victory
FNew Orleans Pelicans
February 24, 2020
Melli amassed 20 points (7-8 FG, 6-7 3Pt), five rebounds, one assist and one block in 23 minutes during Sunday's 115-101 victory over the Warriors.
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Flirts with double-double off bench
FNew Orleans Pelicans
February 12, 2020
Melli finished with 10 points (4-10 FG, 2-8 3Pt), nine rebounds, three assists and one block across 28 minutes Tuesday in the Pelicans' 138-117 win over the Trail Blazers.
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Returns to bench
FNew Orleans Pelicans
February 11, 2020
Melli isn't starting Tuesday's game against the Trail Blazers, Andrew Lopez of ESPN.com reports.
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Receiving spot start
FNew Orleans Pelicans
February 8, 2020
Melli is in the starting lineup Saturday against the Pacers, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
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