The news continues to spiral downward for Syracuse center Fab Melo. With how disappointing his freshman season became, most thought his situation couldn’t get worse. We were all wrong. The Fizz has reported on this story over the course of the week and originally found the the investigation was ongoing after the misdemeanor charge, and now his mid-February suspension was a result of a previous altercation with his girlfriend.
- Fresh FizzCast: The Latest on Fab Melo’s Future
FIZZ COVERAGE:
“A source close to the situation tells The Fizz that a previous time Melo had been aggressive with the victim directly led to his suspension during the season. According to the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, an incident occured on Wednesday, February 9th.
‘Fab pushed his [girlfriend] to the ground. She had to go to the hospital. She had several bruises‚Ķ she claimed she fell down the stairs.’
Following that, according to the source, Melo ‘turned off his phone and left. Coaches couldn‚Äôt get in contact with him. Two days later he said he was dealing with personal issues in Brazil.‚Äù’The incident was never reported to the police. He was suspended for games Feb. 12 (Louisville) and 14 (West Virginia) and played a total of ten minutes over the next three games.”
What we learned Thursday reinforces something we were highly concerned about after hearing the news. This seems to be a pattern of behavior, not an isolated incident. A single incident of domestic violence is dispicable as it is, but a pattern of violence is more disturbing.
“The Fizz asked if there were any other details of the incident or whether Melo had physically laid hands on the woman who now has a protection order against him, Connellan said, ‚Äúthat is part of an ongoing police investigation.‚Äù
When asked by The Fizz if there had been any previous incidents regarding Melo and his girlfriend, Connellan would only say this is ‘the first time it‚Äôs been brought to us.’ He said that the investigation into the incident has no timetable, and, with regards to a full police report, added ‘when it happens, it happens.’‚Äù
It’s critical to allow the legal system to play out and remember, there are two sides to every story. But Ted, D.A, and I all agree, it’s a matter of when, not if, the once-prized recruit is dismissed from the basketball team and Syracuse University.
Posted: Craig Hoffman
8 responses to “FizzCast: Latest on Fab Melo’s Incident, His Future At Syracuse”
what a shame… it appeared to everyone that he had really improved late in the year, but I don’t want anyone character issues on the ‘Cuse. good thing Christmas is coming in because it looks like he’s gone.
Abuse, of any kind, cannot be tolerated. Fab needs to face the music and get help.
Everything I’m hearing and what Fab himself posted up on FB leads me to concur with Orange Fizz’s conclusion: it’s not a matter of if, but when Fab Melo will be dismissed from the team and the university.
It really is a shame. There were never any peeps during recruitment of personal issues. He had an opp. to really develop into a solid big man and get a good education if the pro ranks didn’t pan out. I think it is def. a matter of when, not if, he’s dismissed.
DA
It will be interesting to see if he stays in the states to continue playing basketball, and if so, where would he go?
i dont think hes going to be kicked out. Proably going to miss some games and be sent to anger management. He fucked up but u dont turn ur back on the kid. You get him help.
You’ll are over reacting. Everyone is so hypersensitive about things like this. Look at your own life before you become judge, jury, and hangman. Let the legal system work. He’ll get off easy, some Alumni will foot his legal bill. Money talks. No one has all the facts yet. I don’t condone his actions. Right now it’s all misdemeanor stuff. Devo stayed, Fab will stay if he can take the heat.
You guys are trying to be all PC in the wake of the Ohio State stuff. You never punched your sister, or did one of your freinds dirty? Please. Didn’t one of the SU football players have a similar situation? Lakers didn’t get rid of Kobe. This will pass.
Thought all along one of soph centers would redshirt. Looked like Keita after surgery. I think Melo will stay – but sit out the year.