It’s hard to imagine life getting much better for Orange hoops fan these days.
A legit Top-5 team. A newfound leader in Wes Johnson who seemingly materialized out of the ether wearing SU Nike kicks. A squad that is utterly likable in every way after years of cheering through gritted teeth for guys like The Real Slim Devo and Paul Harris Inc.
So, how can we top that? Welcome to the Fabulous Life. As in Fab Melo.
The incoming recruiting class is stacked, with explosive scoring coming in talented kids like C.J. Fair and Dion Waiters. Mike Hopkins and Rob Murphy are throwing 7s and 11s at the craps table like Zack Galifinakas in “The Hangover.”
But no recruit dazzles the senses and raises the bar of expectations quite like Brazilian big-man Fab Melo.
The Fizz was all over his decision back in August and Orange Nation is salivating over his potential.
Recruiting reports are often teeming with hyperbole, every kid will be the next campus legend. But there is no exaggeration that Fab may become the best SU big man since Derrick Coleman and the the first go-to scoring center since Rony Seikaly. Why? Because SU’s recent history at the position has been dreadful for the better part of two decades.
Our buddies over at the awesome KU site¬†The Shiver (which is like¬†The Fizz’s ’03 Final Four doppleganger) caught up with Fab after a recent tournament.
What was the deciding factor in picking Syracuse?
“The coaches and the style of play. It was between Syracuse and Louisville. They play zone, I played zone in Brazil. It’s a really hard conference to play in but I’m working hard.”
Good kid. This ride is just starting boys and girls.
