Ramses ‘RJ’ Melendez, the No. 97 overall prospect in the 2021 247Sports Composite Rankings, has committed to Illinois, he tells 247Sports.
“I will be heading to the University of Illinois,” Melendez told 247Sports.
The 6-foot-7, 190-pound small forward out of Kissimmee (Fla.) Central Pointe Christian Academy committed to the Fighting Illini over programs including Alabama, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Iowa State and Virginia Tech amongst others.
“It feels like their style of play fits really well with me,” he said of why he chose Illinois. “Andre Curbelo is a really great point guard and he is from Puerto Rico so the chemistry is going to be great in college and it’s going to be good for me to prepare for my dreams of playing in the NBA.”
Brad Underwood and Orlando Antigua spear-headed the recruitment for Melendez and he said that it was their consistency that stood out to him.
“I feel like with coach [Brad] Underwood and coach [Orlando] Antigua showed a lot of interest in me,” he said. “They both were always texting me after games, they were texting me how it went and FaceTiming me to see how things went. They were always just checking on me. They were not in and out, they were always in.”
As to what he will bring to Champaign, Melendez said he will add versatility.
“I think I can bring a lot of things with my versatility, my length, I can bring a lot of things, a lot of good minutes, I do everything,” he said. “I think it will be a great fit for me.”
His coach, Carlos Morales Jr., also noted what type of player that Illinois is getting in Melendez.
“RJ is a very exciting player to watch, coach and to see his growth,” said Morales. “It’s been amazing to be a part of his development and his career so far. He’s just a kid that when he steps on the floor he does so many things offensively and defensively, his scoring ability, passing ability, his basketball IQ is off the charts and I think it’s going to be very exciting to see him play at the next level and see how he develops and hopefully he makes it to the NBA.”
Melendez is Brad Underwood’s second commitment in the 2021 class joining Luke Goode, a four-star prospect out of Fort Wayne (Ind.) Homestead.
He is averaging 20.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.8 blocks and 2.4 steals per game with Central Pointe Christian this season.
