Fab Melo dies at 26

Brazilian player Fab Melo (213 cm), has died at the age of 26, according to multiple reports Saturday night. Melo was found dead at his family’s home in Brazil. He reportedly went to sleep at the house Friday night and did not wake up Saturday morning. The cause of death is not yet known. His former coach at Syracuse, Jim Boeheim, confirmed the news in a pair of tweets.

I’m very sorry to hear about the passing of Fab Melo. He was a kind, genuine person who was committed to doing his best while he was at …

— Jim Boeheim (@therealboeheim) February 12, 2017

Syracuse. Our staff and his teammates were fortunate to have had the opportunity to know Fab. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

— Jim Boeheim (@therealboeheim) February 12, 2017

Fab Melo had an impressive career at Syracuse. He was Big East Defensive Player of the Year his sophomore season. He made appearances in 30 games during his sophomore season and averaged 7.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks. After his sophomore season, Fab Melo declared for the 2012 NBA and was selected 22nd overall by the Boston Celtics. He appeared in six NBA games. After bouncing around from the Celtics to the D-League’s Maine Red Claws, to the Grizzlies, to the Dallas Mavericks, he signed with a Brazilian team, Club Athletico Club Paulistano, in 2014.This 2016/2017 season he had played six games for Uniceub/BRB/Brasilia.