Devils Illustrated - Senior sendoff: Lee Melchionni

April 4, 2006

Justin Young
Devils Illustrated Editor

The story could have been written long ago. In fact, the story could have been written on September 30, 1983. That is when Lee Melchionni was born. He was going to be a Duke basketball player.

The outbound senior was almost destined for Duke. His blood bleeds blue. His father, Gary, is a former two-time Duke captain. The elder Melchionni also served as the Duke Alumni Association president. Lee's sister, Monica, also attended Duke. His cousin lettered in lacrosse at Duke.

All of the signs pointed to Durham. Since his arrival to the ACC school, Melchionni has been the fiery leader of the team. That should have been excepted.

Always one to lead the team in floor slaps, chest bumps, charges taken and fist pumps, Melchionni embodied the life of a Blue Devil.

As a junior, Duke needed another body to line up with Shelden Williams on the blocks. Although he stands 6-foot-6, Melchionni assumed the role and played it well.

Melchionni started 14 games and came alive in the final 11 games of the year, averaging 9.4 points a game in that span. He nailed five three-pointers against UNC in Chapel Hill. In that same span, he recorded a career high in rebounds twice with nine boards against St. John's and Virginia.

As a senior, Melchionni became a valued reserve off the Duke bench because of the arrival of star freshman Josh McRoberts. Playing less minutes, the senior still made an impact in a lessened role. In less than 20 minutes a game, Melchionni was the team's second deadliest shooter from the three-point line. He connected on 40 trifectas and was the team's third best rebounder (116) on the team.

He recorded a career high 18 points this season on Dec. 18 against Valparaiso at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Melchionni finished his four year career with 521 points, 111 made three-pointers, 260 rebounds in 117 games played. The Lancaster, Pa. native started 86 games in his career at Duke. He was also an All-Academic team in the ACC.

His jersey won't be hanging in the rafters at Cameron Indoor but Melchionni will always be a Blue Devil. He's been one his whole life.

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