Former Syracuse players Melo, Greene swapped
Two former Syracuse players were traded for each other on Thursday as the Boston Celtics sent center Fab Melo and cash considerations to the Memphis Grizzlies for forward Donte Greene.
Melo declared for the draft after averaging 7.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.9 blocks in a strong sophomore season in 2011-12. He was selected 22nd overall by the Celtics in the 2012 NBA Draft, but spent most of his rookie season with Boston’s D-League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws.
In Maine, Melo averaged 9.8 points, 6 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game. In just six games with the Celtics, Melo averaged 1.2 points and 0.5 rebounds.
Greene, who left Syracuse after averaging 17.7 points and 7.7 rebounds as a freshman in 2007, was selected 28th by the Grizzlies in 2008, traded to the Houston Rockets and ultimately the Sacramento Kings before his rookie season. He stayed four years in Sacramento, averaging a career-high 8.5 points and starting 50 games in the 2009-10 season.
Greene broke his ankle in August 2012 and missed all of that season before signing with Memphis in April. He did not appear in a game for the remainder of the year.
Published on August 15, 2013 at 5:15 pm
Contact Jesse: jcdoug01@syr.edu | @dougherty_jesse