Former Boston Celtics first-round pick Fab Melo died in Brazil on Saturday, according to multiple reports.
Melo, 26, played in 33 games for the Maine Red Claws in the 2012-13 D-League season after Boston chose him with the 22nd pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. He played in six games for the Celtics.
On Dec. 22, 2012, he set a D-League record with 14 blocks to go with 15 points and 16 rebounds.
He played two seasons at Syracuse University and was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year his sophomore season (2011-12), but was declared ineligible for the NCAA tournament for academic reasons.
The cause of death was unknown.
The Celtics traded Melo to the Memphis Grizzlies in August 2013.
He was waived a short-time later and signed with Dallas before the start of the 2013-14 season, but was cut before the start of the regular season. He had also played professionally in Brazil.
76ERS: Philadelphia center Joel Embiid isn’t healthy enough for the basketball court, but his dance moves look just fine.
A leading candidate for rookie of the year, Embiid missed his ninth straight game Saturday due to a bruised left knee. His absence against the Miami Heat came one night after cellphone video captured the 76ers center dancing on stage at a Meek Mill concert in Philadelphia.
The video caused a mini firestorm on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters at Saturday at the team’s practice facility in Camden, New Jersey, the 22-year-old said his dancing was all about having fun.
Saturday’s games
CLIPPERS 107, HORNETS 102: Blake Griffin had 20 points and 12 rebounds, Austin Rivers scored 16 of his 18 points in the second half and Los Angeles won in Charlotte, North Carolina.
BUCKS 116, PACERS 110: Giannis Antetokoumpo had 20 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds to help Milwaukee win in Indianapolis.
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