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RJ Melendez talks offseason development, compares current Illini G to former standout
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R.J. Melendez has big goals for the No. 23 Illinois Fighting Illini team this 2022-2023 College Basketball season.
With potential B1G regular season and conference tournament title hopes along with an NCAA title in his mind, Melendez has been working hard on and off the court.
Among the biggest things the Fighting Illini have addressed this off-season is the team working on full-court progressions, such as translations.
#illini RJ Melendez: We've been working since the beginning of the summer on pressing full court. It's something you're going to be seeing a lot from us.
— Joey Wagner (@mrwagner25) November 4, 2022
Melendez has been developing himself off-the-court significantly with Illinois strength and condition coach Adam Frazier.
#illini RJ Melendez spent a lot of time in town in spring and summer. Knew he had a bigger role this year and wanted to spend time with Adam Fletcher to prepare for that role.
— Joey Wagner (@mrwagner25) November 4, 2022
Melendez also said that teammate Sencire Harris reminds him of former Illinois point guard and two-time B1G All-Defensive team selection in Trent Frazier.
#illini RJ Melendez: Sencire Harris reminds me a lot of Trent Frazier.
— Joey Wagner (@mrwagner25) November 4, 2022
Illinois is looking to rebound from being knocked out of the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament as the No. 4 seed in the South Bracket to No. 15 seed Houston 68-53. They also lost in the quarterfinals of the B1G Tournament as the No. 1 seed to No. 9 seed Indiana 65-63.
Illinois finished last season with an overall record of 23-10.
Illinois’ season will tip-off on Monday Nov. 7 against Eastern Illinois at 9 p.m. ET on ESPNU.