RJ Melendez - College Basketball News & Rumors

Limited impact Melendez chipped in six points (2-6 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), two rebounds and one assist across 21 minutes during Friday's 75-72 loss to Baylor.

Impact Melendez was cold from downtown, and inefficient from the field overall as he offered just six points in the loss. The wing had a streaky senior season with the Bulldogs, and his career is likely over after the first round NCAA Tournament exit.

MARCH 22 • ROTOWIRE

WATCH: RJ Melendez explains how slumping Mississippi State can make March Madness run Mississippi State hasn't played its best basketball of late, but RJ Melendez says the Bulldogs are still well prepared to make a March Madne...

MARCH 14 • CLARIONLEDGER.COM

Arkansas beats No. 25 Mississippi State by one in frantic finish

Jonas Aidoo’s free throw broke a tie game with 11 seconds left and No. 25 Mississippi State missed two potential game-winning shots at the rim at the other end to close out Arkansa...

MARCH 8 • Associated Press

Tramon Mark scores 24 points and Texas downs No. 25 Mississippi State 87-82 in OT

Tramon Mark had 24 points and Tre Johnson scored 23 to lead Texas to an 87-82 overtime win over No. 25 Mississippi State

MARCH 5 • Associated Press

Cold from deep in blowout loss Melendez notched 11 points (4-11 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals over 29 minutes during Tuesday's 111-73 loss to Alabama.

Impact Melendez' 1-of-6 showing from downtown certainly can't be pointed to as one of the main reasons the Bulldogs lost - the entire team struggled to shoot with efficiency against the Crimson Tide - but it definitely didn't help. It's an example of how Alabama forced Mississippi State into bad, uncharacteristic shots en route to a 38-point blowout. Melendez did continue to contribute in a variety of ways with rebounds, assists, blocks and steals, however.

FEBRUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Continues timid approach Melendez registered four points (1-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-4 FT), two rebounds and one block across 19 minutes during Saturday's 76-75 win over Georgia.

Impact The Bulldogs didn't need Melendez to offer up all that much in a one-point victory over Georgia. Still, it's worth noting that the forward attempted just two shots and hasn't been all that assertive as of late. He'll remain a consistent starter for Mississippi Sate, while simultaneously far from a top scoring option in Starkville.

FEBRUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Double-double vs. Auburn Melendez had 15 points (5-12 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 5-6 FT), 10 rebounds and one block over 28 minutes during Tuesday's 88-66 loss to Auburn.

Impact Melendez had himself a nice night against the Tigers despite the lopsided loss. It was his first double-double of the season and his 10 boards were a season high. Melendez has taken at least 10 shots in three straight games, and he'll need to continue to play with that aggression and intensity to try to keep the Bulldogs afloat in a brutal SEC.

JANUARY 15 • ROTOWIRE

RJ Melendez scores 19 as No. 14 Mississippi State beats Vandy 76-64 for 8th straight win

RJ Melendez scored 19 points and No. 14 Mississippi State beat Vanderbilt 76-64 for its eighth straight victory

JANUARY 8 • Associated Press

Gets back to double figures Melendez posted 12 points (3-5 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 4-5 FT), four rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal in 24 minutes during Monday's 87-73 win over Bethune-Cookman.

Impact Melendez hit double figures for the first time since Dec. 14. He's been less assertive overall this season, averaging 5.8 shots-per-game as opposed to the 7.7 he averaged the year prior. Still, he remains an integral part of the Bulldogs' starting five and that will continue with SEC play around the corner.

DECEMBER 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Melendez makes 2 late free throws, No. 25 Mississippi State beats McNeese State 66-63

RJ Melendez had a season-high 18 points and Josh Hubbard added 16 to lead No. 25 Mississippi State to a 66-63 win over McNeese State in a neutral-site game

DECEMBER 15, 2024 • Associated Press

Back-to-back 10 point showings Melendez chipped in 10 points (4-7 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 0-1 FT), five rebounds, one assist and one steal over 27 minutes during Sunday's 91-84 victory over Prairie View A&M.

Impact Melendez got his first consecutive starts for the Bulldogs against Pittsburgh and Prairie View A&M, and the guard rewarded Mississippi State by hitting double-digit points in each game. The forward can stretch the floor with his three-point ability, and he's scoring rather efficiently (45/34/83 shooting splits) as well.

DECEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Thursday Melendez is in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against UNLV.

Impact Melendez is getting his second start of the season and his first since Nov. 8, sending Shawn Jones to the bench. Melendez is coming off his best game of the season, posting 15 points (4-8 FG, 1-2 3pt, 6-6 FT), five rebounds and an assist in 22 minutes and will look to capitalize on Thursday's opportunity in the starting unit.

NOVEMBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Mississippi State Men's Basketball Lands Commitment From RJ Melendez The transfer portal may be closed, but The Bulldogs are adding more depth to their roster.

MAY 4, 2024 • SI.COM

Former Georgia forward RJ Melendez commits to Mississippi State The veteran forward is headed to Starkville after one season in Athens.

MAY 4, 2024 • 247SPORTS.COM

Rejoins starting five Melendez will draw the start Wednesday against Alabama, Jordan D. Hill of the 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Melendez's reinsertion into the starting unit comes following a mammoth showing against Florida last time out, where the junior compiled 35 points and five steals over 33 minutes. He's earned a spot back int eh starting unit as a result and should see a bump in playing time Wednesday.

JANUARY 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

No. 24 Alabama visits Georgia after Melendez's 35-point game

Georgia hosts the No. 24 Alabama Crimson Tide after RJ Melendez scored 35 points in Georgia's 102-98 overtime loss to the Florida Gators

JANUARY 30, 2024 • Associated Press

RJ Melendez, Georgia take care of business against Mercer Nov 6, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Mike White shouts from the sideline during the second half against the Oreg...

DECEMBER 2, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

DECEMBER 2, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Melendez sparks Georgia to an 80-69 victory over Mercer

RJ Melendez scored 14 of his 18 points in the first half and Georgia cruised to an 80-69 victory over Mercer

DECEMBER 2, 2023 • Associated Press

Not in starting five Melendez is not in the starting lineup for Friday's matchup against Winthrop, Jordan Hill of 247 Sports reports.

Impact Melendez had started each of the first five games of the year for the Bulldogs, and the Illinois transfer even recorded a season-best 15 points Sunday against Providence. It's unclear at this point what caused the lineup shakeup, but Jalen DeLoach will make his first start of the season in Melendez's stead.

NOVEMBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

RJ Melendez throws down a vicious dunk to extend Illinois' lead over Wisconsin

JULY 28, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

Illinois' RJ Melendez gets up and throws down a WILD POSTER jam to cap off the first half vs. Indiana

JULY 26, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

Remains in starting lineup Melendez is in the starting five for Thursday's game versus against Arkansas, Scott Richey of The Champaign News-Gazette reports.

Impact Melendez will make his fourth straight start Thursday. He is averaging 7.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals across his 17 games starting this season.

MARCH 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

College basketball highlights: No. 5 Purdue narrowly defeats Illinois

Big Ten men's basketball took center stage Sunday, as No. 5 Purdue narrowly defeated Illinois. Here are the highlights!

MARCH 5, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

College basketball highlights: No. 5 Purdue narrowly defeats Illinois

Named a starter Thursday night Melendez is in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against Michigan, Joey Wagner of 247Sports reports.

Impact With Jayden Epps unavailable due to a concussion, Melendez will check back into the Fighting Illini's starting five for the fifteenth time this season. Across his last three starts, the 6-foot-7 sophomore is averaging 5.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.

MARCH 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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