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2023 Nicole Melious is the face of Wagner HS and Hoopers NY

By World Exposure News Services, 12/05/19, 10:30PM CST

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We had the opportunity to catch up with the 2023 Purdue Commit Nicole Melious @nicolemelious10.

World Exposure: Nicole, who are your biggest influences?
NM: Gerry Mosley, Sal Fabozzi, Candice Bellochio, Delson, Dara Mabry, Azeem Wilkerson, and Bryan Williams.  Bryan Williams is like family to me, he has believed in me ever since I was a 6th grader and trusted me to play in 15U brackets. He comes to everything. He even drove with us to Purdue for the visit. Bryan Williams is the best. He truly cares about his players in the Hoopers program. 

World Exposure: What has been your biggest basketball moment?
NM: That's easy! :) Winning the local and state championship in 8th grade has been my biggest basketball moment so far.  Winning with my two best friends Alexis Anderson and Grace Perez was amazing. Coach Greg Jack, Tough and Tibbs are like family as well. So winning those championships meant a lot. 

World Exposure: Why do you wear the #10?
NM: I wear it for Candice Bellochio, she played for St. Peters High School and at Hofstra. She is a great role model and showed me what hard work is and what I could accomplished if I work hard. I really consider her as a big sister!

World Exposure: Tell me about some of your training. 
NM: Gerry Mosley taught me to shoot and hot to think the game. He made me do a lot of push ups. He once facetime a workout with me when I was on the road. He is and will always be there for me. 

Sal Fabozzi is one of the best trainers in the game. He has brought my game to a different level. Sal taught me to finish strong, get to the basket with counter moves and to think like a point guard while still being a scorer. Sal has been a great role model and does a lot of work for special need kids. I really owe a lot to Sal and Gerry. 

Azeem Wilkerson made me a better athlete. He works me pretty hard mentally and physically. He is like an uncle to me. Azeem is someone I can talk to about anything. 

Delson from Patrick School in a short time has helped me . He challenges me to do things I never have done before. He has a lot of belief in me. 

World Exposure: Who have been you favorite coaches?
NM: Greg Percoco, Tom Tibbs, John Tuohy, my dad (Dan Melious) and Paul Lee.

World Exposure: How does it feel to be the face of the Hoopers NY program since Teisha Hyman is at Syracuse. 
NM: Teisha is someone I looked up to because she is a very strong worker. She fought back from ACL surgery to be able to play at Syracuse now. She is like my Hoopers big sister. I am blessed that she took me under her wing. 

World Exposure: Who are some of your favorite AAU teammates?
NM: Morgan Lee who is another top 200 player in the country, Ashley and Olivia Schmitt, and Brooke Corbett. We all have been together since 3rd grade.

World Exposure: Who have been some of your favorite school teammates?
NM: Alexis Anderson, Grace Perez, and Alexa Ballarsio are a few from my St. Teresa team.

World Exposure: How does it feel to be at Wagner High School and to be the "man" as a freshman? Do you feel the pressure?
NM: I do not really think about being the man... hahahaha I just play and try to win games. I just want to play defense, score, rebound, and create shots for myself and for my teammates. 

No pressure really. I have played in front of colleges and in a lot of big games. It's about focus which I have learned as a 2nd degree black belt from Master Ji Tae Kim. I really love my High School teammates and cant wait for the season to start and help the seniors go out on top!

World Exposure: A few months ago, you committed to Purdue. Why did you commit to Purdue?
NM: Coach Sharon, Melanie, Beth, and Coach Scruggs are the absolute best. They made me feel wanted from the moment I met them. My visit was magical. After an aau game they told Bryan Williams how much they wanted me. I was extremely comfortable there and can see myself excelling there. It was an easy decision.  I can't wait to get there but I know I have a lot to work on and keep working hard to get better. 

World Exposure: Anything else you would like to share?
NM: I would like to say thank you to my parents, because they have sacrificed a lot to help me. and I would like to say Boiler up!