De'Anthony Melton

De'Anthony Melton (born May 28, 1998), nicknamed "Mr. Do Something", is an American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

When Melton was on the floor, he recorded steals more frequently than any other player in the NBA, ranking 1st with 3.3 steals per 100 possessions (min. 700 total minutes played).

Among rookies to start in majority of their appearances, Melton's 3.3 steals per 100 possessions are tied for 6th most all-time in Basketball-Reference's database.

Melton had the game winning block in the state championship against Capital Christian High School in 2015.

As a senior, Melton averaged 20 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.5 steals.

As a three-star recruit, he committed to the USC Trojans on November 20, 2015.

He was one of three finalists for Mr. Basketball as the state player of the year, was named MaxPrep All-State first team, L.A. Times All-Area and the Daily News Player of the Year.

Melton played in 36 games, starting in the last 25 games of the season that year.

He averaged 8.3 points, 3.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game.

On January 25, in an 84–76 win over future #2 pick Lonzo Ball and UCLA, Melton had 13 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and a block.

He followed this performance with a 16-point, 7 rebound, 6 assist, 6 steal, and 2 block game against future #1 pick Markelle Fultz and Washington on February 1.

Melton became the first freshman to record at least 300 points, 150 rebounds, 100 assists, 60 steals, and 35 blocks in their starting season since Dwyane Wade.

As a result of those starts, he was projected to be a key player for USC's upcoming season.

Melton graduated from Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, California in 2016, after having led his team to back-to-back state titles and leaving as the school's all-time leading scorer.

As a junior, Melton averaged 15.5 points.

He played college basketball for the USC Trojans of the Pac-12 Conference, but did not play in the 2017–18 season due to the events relating to the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball corruption scandal.

On September 26, 2017, federal prosecutors in New York announced charges of fraud and corruption against 10 people involved in college basketball, including USC assistant coach Tony Bland.

The charges allege that Bland and other members involved allegedly received benefits from financial advisers and others to influence student-athletes to retain their services.

Following the announcement, USC indefinitely suspended Melton in relation to the scandal due to a family member's involvement there.

Melton was selected by the Houston Rockets in the second round of the 2018 NBA draft with the 46th pick, but was traded to the Phoenix Suns before his rookie season began.

On February 21, 2018, Melton announced he would withdraw from USC and declare for the 2018 NBA draft.

Melton was selected with the 46th pick by the Houston Rockets in the 2018 NBA draft.

He played for the Rockets during the 2018 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

In five games, Melton recorded 16.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 3.0 steals per game.

His best game during the event was on July 9 where he made 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists in a 104–90 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

On August 31, Melton was traded alongside Ryan Anderson to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Brandon Knight and Marquese Chriss.

Melton signed with the Suns on September 21.

He made his professional debut with the Suns on October 22, 2018, in a 123–103 loss to the Golden State Warriors, but did not record significant playing time until October 31 in a 120–90 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

Melton was assigned to the Northern Arizona Suns, Phoenix's development team in the NBA G League, for their first game of the season on November 3, 2018.

He played the one game, a 118–108 loss to the Santa Cruz Warriors, and was recalled to Phoenix the next day.

On December 4, Melton recorded a professional high of 21 points in a 122–105 loss to the Sacramento Kings.

Melton was 2nd in the NBA in rookie steals in 2018–19 with 1.36 spg.

After a season in Phoenix, he was dealt to the Memphis Grizzlies in July 2019.

Melton spent three seasons in Memphis before being traded to the 76ers during the 2022 off-season.

He also recorded a season-high 10 assists in a 102–93 win over the Denver Nuggets on January 12, 2019.

Melton later suffered a right ankle sprain on January 24, leaving him out of action for close to a month before returning briefly for the NBA G League on February 20, and then played in the NBA proper three days later against the Atlanta Hawks.

On March 16, Melton recorded a career-high 8 rebounds in a 138–136 overtime win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

On July 7, 2019, the Suns traded Melton, Josh Jackson, and two second round picks to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Jevon Carter and Kyle Korver.

Melton made his Grizzlies debut on October 23, recording two assists in a 120–101 loss to the Miami Heat.

On February 20, 2020, he scored a season-high 24 points, alongside six rebounds and three assists, in a 129–125 loss to the Sacramento Kings.