Leading your school to a Division IV CIF State Championship has its privileges.
De'Anthony Melton, who starts his senior year at Crespi on Monday - one day after appearing in the Prep2Prep California All-Star Classic (1:30/3:30 PM, Las Positas College) - has certainly earned the right to use the gym as needed.
"We lift every other day and have open gym," said Melton, referring to an offseason weightlifting class monitored by the school's strength and conditioning coach. "And we have open gym. With us being a small school, the gym is right there and we can get in whenever we want pretty much."
We trust the Crespi administration would be so generous in good times as well as bad, but it certainly doesn't hurt when you lead your team to a state title, as Melton did his junior season with a 47-44 win over Capital Christian-Sacramento at Haas Pavilion March 28.
Melton dropped in 13 points and 13 rebounds in the championship game and led the Celts on the season with 15.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. The 6-4 guard shot an impressive 48 percent from the field and also contributed 3.0 assists per game. Now a mere Division IV state title is not enough for the all-boys school in Encino.
"The goal this year is to make Open," said Melton. "As long as everyone keeps getting better and keeps developing, we'll be fine."
First, Melton has a date with his fellow Southern California 2016 stars as they take on NorCal at the Prep2Prep California All-Star Classic Sunday afternoon in Livermore. Consider it one last getaway before school starts on Monday, but Melton is not looking at this as a vacation.
"I'm not a big fan of losing - we'll do whatever we have to do to win," Melton said. "If we have to get serious - as long as we have fun, though - but I just want to win."
Winning has been a staple of Melton's high school career as the team finished 29-7 last season and 19-13 in 2013-14, when he averaged 10 points per game as a sophomore. And on a personal level, Melton has developed into a bonafide Division Iprospect. And while he is still considering several schools - including Colorado State, Loyola Marymount, Nevada, USC, USF - his future prospects are "up in the air right now."
"I have a few official (visits) set up," he said. "I want to see what the coaches have in mind for me my first year coming in and make sure I'm able to bring an impact."
Having the keys to the gym is a good start.
