Melendez, Ricky

Ricky Melendez – (2007)

 

Throughout an excellent high school, collegiate and professional career, Ricky Melendez’s accomplishments are well documented. His fierce desire to be the best and the uncanny leadership skills were exhibited every step of the way in his basketball career and in life.

Ricky played his high school basketball at Lorain High School under Lorain Sports Hall of Fame enshrinees Dale Reichert and Carl Hartman. His breakout season came as a junior in the 1979-80 season when he set the single season scoring record at Lorain High, scoring 445 points. Ricky’s 19.2 points per game (PPG) average was tops in the Buckeye Conference that year, earning him the scoring title. He also posted 9.0 rebounds per game (RPG) and shot 83% from the free throw line enroute to being named Second Team All District and Honorable Mention All-Ohio.

As a senior, Ricky was named the team’s Co-Captain. He was a first team All Buckeye Conference performer and was a Lorain County All-Star, participating in the Lorain County Cage Classic to round out his high school career. According to Carl Hartman “Rick was one of the finest players to come out of Lorain High in the 25 years I’ve coached here.”

Melendez would begin his collegiate basketball career at Lakeland Junior College (currently Lakeland Community College) in Kirtland, OH. In his freshman season at Lakeland Ricky was voted an All Conference performer. In his sophomore campaign, Melendez was named the Team Captain, selected to the Ohio Junior College Athletic Association (OJCAA) All-Ohio First Team, named Most Valuable Player of the OJCAA Tournament and was also an All Region Tournament selection.

After two excellent years of Junior College Ricky moved on to Atlantic Christian College (currently Barton College) for his final two seasons of collegiate basketball. His impact was immediate. As a junior he was named the team’s MVP, was an All Tournament, All District and First Team performer in the Carolina Conference and led his team in a run to the Sweet 16 in the NAIA national tournament.

In his final collegiate season, he was again named a Team Captain, was the team’s leading scorer and won the Team MVP award. First Team selections on the Carolina Conference regular season and tournament teams were awarded to him and he was named the Atlantic Christian College Male Athlete of the Year.

Ricky was determined to take his game to the next level, professional basketball. From 1986 to 1995 he competed as a professional in Puerto Rico. During his career he played for ten years in the Superior Basketball League (SBL) and he also played for seven years in the Puerto Rico Basketball League (PRBL) during that ten year span. He received many accolades for his play including several All-Star appearances in both leagues and in 1988 his team won the SBL Championship, with Ricky starring as the team’s sixth man. In his SBL professional career Melendez averaged 12.0 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 81% from the free throw line and shot 48% from the field (41% on 3-pt field goals).

As a testament to Ricky’s athletic accomplishments and his life as a stellar citizen and role model for the community, Mayor Alex Olejko declared December 27, 1987 as “Ricky Melendez Day” in the city of Lorain.

In October 2004, Ricky was inducted into the Barton College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Ricky currently resides in Clearwater, Florida with his wife and two children.

WELCOME, RICKY MELENDEZ, INTO THE LORAIN SPORTS HALL OF FAME