Fabricio Paulino de Melo: just call him Fab!

By John Kekis

Associated Press

Published: Friday, June 29 2012 1:00 p.m. MDT

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Boston Celtics assistant general manager Ryan McDonough discusses the team's selections in the NBA draft during an availability in Boston, Thursday, June 28, 2012. The team selected Ohio State forward Jared Sullinger with the No. 21 pick and Syracuse center Fab Melo with the No. 22 pick in the first round.

Charles Krupa, Associated Press

Summary

Maybe it was tough love from his college coach during a disappointing freshman year. Maybe it was playing overseas for his native Brazil. Maybe it was just wanting to please his mom.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Maybe it was tough love from his college coach during a disappointing freshman year. Maybe it was playing overseas for his native Brazil. Maybe it was just wanting to please his mom.

Or maybe it was all that and more that transformed Fabricio Paulino de Melo into just plain Fab — the 7-foot center who made Syracuse an imposing team last season and now dons the famed uniform of the Boston Celtics hoping to leave his mark on the NBA. He was the 22nd pick in the NBA draft on Thursday night, a week after his 22nd birthday.

"Any time a guy only started playing basketball seriously about three or four years ago, there is some learning curve," Celtics assistant general manager Ryan McDonough said. "But we're encouraged by his ability to learn."

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