De'Anthony Melton

Melton is a defensive-minded guard whose value is rooted in his ability to disrupt passing lanes, generate steals, and impact the game in ways that do not always appear in the box score. Nicknamed Mr. Do Something for his constant activity on both ends, he has carved out a meaningful NBA career as a backup guard who provides defense, three-point shooting, and secondary playmaking. His journey from Crespi Carmelite High School in California through a turbulent USC career and into the NBA reflects both his undeniable talent and the obstacles he has overcome, including a season lost to a corruption scandal, a serious back injury, and a season-ending ACL tear.

Born De'Anthony Melton on May 28, 1998, he graduated from Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, California, in 2016. He led the team to back-to-back state titles and left as the school's all-time leading scorer. As a junior, he averaged 15.5 points and had the game-winning block in the 2015 state championship against Capital Christian. As a senior, he averaged 20.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 3.5 steals. A three-star recruit, he committed to USC on November 20, 2015, and was a finalist for Mr. Basketball as California's state player of the year. He was named MaxPreps All-State first team, L.A. Times All-Area, and Daily News Player of the Year.

At USC, Melton played 36 games and started the final 25. He averaged 8.3 points, 3.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.9 steals. He became the first freshman since Dwyane Wade to record at least 300 points, 150 rebounds, 100 assists, 60 steals, and 35 blocks in a season. He had a standout game against future No. 2 pick Lonzo Ball and UCLA, posting 13 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and a block. Against future No. 1 pick Markelle Fultz and Washington, he had 16 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 steals, and 2 blocks. He was projected as a key piece for USC's future.

However, on September 26, 2017, federal prosecutors charged 10 people in a college basketball corruption scandal, including USC assistant coach Tony Bland. USC suspended Melton indefinitely due to a family member's involvement. On February 21, 2018, he withdrew from USC and declared for the 2018 NBA draft, having never played his sophomore season. The Houston Rockets selected him 46th overall on June 21, 2018. He played Summer League for the Rockets and averaged 16.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 3.0 steals, including a 26-point, 10-rebound, 5-assist performance against the Clippers. On August 31, 2018, Houston traded him and Ryan Anderson to the Phoenix Suns for Brandon Knight and Marquese Chriss.

In Phoenix, Melton made his debut on October 22, 2018, against Golden State. He spent time with the Northern Arizona Suns of the G League. On December 4, he scored a professional-high 21 points against Sacramento. On January 12, 2019, he recorded 10 assists against Denver. He suffered a right ankle sprain on January 24 and missed nearly a month. As a rookie, he ranked second in the NBA in steals per game among rookies with 1.36 and first in steals per 100 possessions with 3.3, tied for sixth all-time among rookies with a majority of starts. On July 7, 2019, Phoenix traded him, Josh Jackson, and two second-round picks to the Memphis Grizzlies for Jevon Carter and Kyle Korver.

In Memphis, Melton established himself as a defensive specialist and energy guard. He debuted on October 23, 2019. On February 20, 2020, he scored a season-high 24 points against Sacramento. On November 22, 2020, he re-signed on a four-year, $34.6 million contract. On April 19, 2021, he had 25 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 steals in a double-overtime loss to Denver. He helped Memphis reach the playoffs for the first time since 2017 and made his playoff debut on May 23, 2021, against Utah. On March 26, 2022, he scored 24 points against Milwaukee. Memphis lost to Golden State in the second round. He finished eighth in Sixth Man of the Year voting.

On June 24, 2022, the Grizzlies traded Melton to the Philadelphia 76ers for Danny Green and the draft rights to David Roddy. He debuted on October 18 against Boston. He averaged 10.1 points and 1.6 steals while shooting 39 percent from three in 2022-23. In 2023-24, he was limited to 38 games by a back injury but set career highs with 11.1 points and 83.5 percent from the free-throw line, matching his 1.6 steals per game. On July 8, 2024, he signed with the Golden State Warriors. In 6 games with 2 starts, he averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. On November 20, 2024, it was announced he would require season-ending surgery for a partially-torn ACL. On December 15, 2024, Golden State traded him, Reece Beekman, and three second-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets for Dennis Schröder, but Melton never appeared for Brooklyn due to the injury. On October 1, 2025, he re-signed with the Warriors.

Melton is a defensive specialist whose activity, anticipation, and quick hands make him one of the most disruptive backup guards in the league. His strengths are generating steals, forcing turnovers, pushing the pace in transition, and knocking down open three-pointers. He is a capable passer who keeps the ball moving and finds cutters. His weaknesses are his size, which makes him vulnerable against bigger guards and wings, his inconsistency as a half-court scorer, and his tendency to gamble for steals, which can leave his team exposed. His injury history, including a back problem and a partially-torn ACL, has cost him significant time and raises questions about his long-term durability. His return to Golden State represents a bet that his defense and shooting can contribute to a team with championship aspirations.

Melton's résumé includes back-to-back state titles at Crespi, the school's all-time leading scorer, a game-winning block in the 2015 state championship, 20.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 3.5 steals as a senior, three-star status, a USC commitment, 8.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.9 steals as a freshman, the first freshman since Dwyane Wade with 300-150-100-60-35, a standout game against Lonzo Ball, a standout game against Markelle Fultz, a suspension due to the corruption scandal, a withdrawal from USC, the 46th pick by Houston, a dominant Summer League, a trade to Phoenix, a 21-point game, a 10-assist game, leading rookies in steals frequency, a trade to Memphis, a four-year, $34.6 million contract, a 25-point game with 5 steals, two playoff appearances with Memphis, eighth in Sixth Man voting, a trade to Philadelphia, 10.1 points and 39 percent from three, a back injury limiting him to 38 games, career highs in points and free-throw percentage, a signing with Golden State, a partially-torn ACL requiring season-ending surgery, a trade to Brooklyn without playing, and a re-signing with Golden State in October 2025. His journey from Encino through a lost college season into a defensive-minded NBA career reflects a player whose resilience and energy have allowed him to thrive despite repeated setbacks.