RJ Melendez - College Basketball News & Rumors

Not part of starting lineup Melendez is not part of Illinois' starting lineup Sunday at Ohio State, according to Joey Wagner of 247Sports.

Impact Melendez averaged 5.7 points and 6.7 rebounds across his three games started in place of Terrence Shannon, added to Illinois' starting lineup Sunday.

FEBRUARY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Plays 14 minutes Melendez finished with two points (0-6 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds and one assist over 14 minutes during Saturday's 71-68 loss to Indiana.

Impact Despite being part of Illinois' starting lineup, Melendez did not play much during his first game started since 2022. Terrence Shannon is expected to be out some time because of a concussion he suffered Tuesday at Penn State. But with how Melendez played on Saturday, he is not expected to be a valued option even if the Fighting Illini use him a lot more.

FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Enters starting lineup Melendez is in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against Indiana, Scott Richey of The Champaign News-Gazette reports.

Impact Melendez will be inserted into the starting lineup for the first time since Dec. 22 with the reported news Friday night that Terrence Shannon would miss the game due to a concussion. Melendez has been inconsistent all year and recently saw a season-low three minutes against the Nittany Lions on Tuesday. He'll have an opportunity for an extended role while Shannon is out and will need to pick up some of the scoring void left by Shannon's absence.

FEBRUARY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Plays three minutes Melendez amassed three points (1-1 FG, 1-1 3Pt), one block and one steal in three minutes during Tuesday's 93-81 loss to Penn State.

Impact Melendez logged his lowest minute tally of the 2022-23 season so far. But if Melendez's past games are any indication, he will receive play a lot more across future matchups the Fighting Illini play. Despite being a backup option throughout the first 1.5 months of 2023, he averaged 22.0 minutes across his first 10 games this year.

FEBRUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Available at Penn State Melendez (suspension) will be available during Illinois' game Tuesday at Penn State, according to Andy Kimball of the Decatur Herald.

Impact Illinois prevented Melendez from participating when the team hosted Rutgers on Saturday. He was expected to sit out again Tuesday at Penn State. But on Monday, Illinois' head coach Brad Underwood announced Melendez "will be in uniform" when the team plays its next game.

FEBRUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Serving suspension Melendez is serving a suspension, and he will likely be inactive for Saturday's matchup with Penn State, Scott Richey of The Champaign News-Gazette reports.

Impact Melendez is serving a suspension for "violating team rules", according to head coach, Brad Underwood. The 6-foot-7 sophomore has appeared in 23 games (11 starts), logging 5.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 0.7 steals on 21.3 minutes per game. It is unclear if Melendez will miss extended time as a result of the suspension.

FEBRUARY 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to bench Thursday Melendez is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against Bethune-Cookman, Ethan Simmons of The News-Gazette reports.

Impact Melendez will head to the bench Thursday with head coach Brad Underwood opting to go bigger and begin the game with Dain Dainja. Melendez has recently been limited with a shoulder injury and has played less than 20 minutes in each of the last three games. He could see some additional rest tonight with the Illini matched up against a much weaker opponent.

DECEMBER 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with shoulder injury Melendez posted zero points (0-3 FG, 0-2 3Pt) and three rebounds in 15 minutes off the bench during Saturday's win over Alabama A&M.

Impact Melendez came off the bench for the first time this season and was held scoreless across 15 minutes, his fewest since a 103-65 blowout win over Monmouth on Nov. 14. Coach Brad Underwood said after the game that Melendez hadn't practice all week due to a shoulder contusion, so given his poor play Saturday, the forward's availability should be monitored by fantasy mangers moving forward.

DECEMBER 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to bench Saturday Melendez will come off the bench for Saturday's game against Alabama A&M.

Impact Melendez has started all 10 games thus far, but played under 20 minutes last Saturday for the first time since Nov. 18 and now is being swapped in the starting lineup for Jayden Epps. The 6-7 sophomore should still have a sizeable role and could very well re-enter the starting five Thursday against Missouri.

DECEMBER 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Scores eight in loss Melendez produced eight points (3-7 FG, 2-4 3Pt) and one steal in 27 minutes during Sunday's 70-61 loss to Virginia.

Impact Melendez continues to start but hasn't exactly been the most efficient in his production, as he also made two turnovers and committed three fouls during Sunday's game. With Jayden Epps eating up big minutes as the sixth man, Melendez and Mattew Mayer aren't as productive as some of the other options for the Illini.

NOVEMBER 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ties for team high with 15 Melendez drew the start in Friday's exhibition contest, recording 15 points (6-10 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-4 FT), four rebounds, a block and a steal across 21 minutes in the 87-52 victory ov...

Impact After serving as a reserve in his freshman season and averaging just 8.5 minutes per contest, it appears Melendez could be in line for an expanded role. The 6-7 showed flashes last year, though, as he started and scored six in a Nov. 29 matchup against Notre Dame. Later in the year, he recorded back-to-back double-digit scoring efforts in Big Ten play. There's at least some sleeper potential here.

NOVEMBER 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Illinois basketball: Q&A with head coach Brad Underwood

Illinois basketball coach Brad Underwood discusses his new-look team, recent NCAA Tournament woes and more, John Fanta writes.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 • FOX SPORTS

Illinois basketball: Q&A with head coach Brad Underwood

Technical Foul Call on Illinois Guard RJ Melendez Draws Heavy Criticism The Illini guard received a technical foul for hanging on the rim in Sunday’s loss to Houston.

MARCH 20, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Available Sunday Melendez (abdomen) is available for Sunday's game against Iowa, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports reports.

Impact Melendez was dressed for pregame warmups Sunday, and he'll officially be able to return to the court after missing the past three games while recovering from an emergency appendectomy. He's averaging 3.8 points in 8.2 minutes per game across 19 appearances this year.

MARCH 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Dressed out Sunday Melendez (abdomen) is in uniform for early pre-game warmups ahead of Sunday's game against Iowa, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports reports.

Impact Melendez has missed the past three games while recovering from an emergency appendectomy, but he may have a chance to retake the court Sunday for the final game of the regular season. The freshman forward's outlook should receive additional clarity as 7:30 p.m. ET tipoff approaches.

MARCH 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not game ready Coach Brad Underwood said that Melendez (abdomen) is not ready to play Thursday against Penn State, Scott Richey of The Champaign News-Gazette reports.

Impact Melendez is recovering from emergency appendectomy surgery. He will miss his third straight game. He has been able to do minor things in practice, but coach Underwood does not believe he is game ready yet.

MARCH 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Effective against Northwestern Melendez contributed 14 points (3-4 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 6-6 FT), six rebounds, one block and two steals over 17 minutes during Sunday's 73-66 win over Northwestern.

Impact Melendez was efficient from the floor during Sunday's matchup and was also perfect in his six trips to the charity stripe to score in double figures for the first time in his collegiate career. While Sunday's performance was encouraging, the freshman has been on the fringes of the team's rotation for most of the year.

FEBRUARY 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

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Illinois basketball: Q&A with head coach Brad Underwood