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Bryceson Melvin, 6-foot-5 senior (2025) guard from RWG Stem Academy (Arlington, Texas) has committed to Stephen F. Austin. Melvin announced on April 21 he will play for newly acquired Head Coach Matt Braeuer in Nacogdoches.
He and his father, Marcus Melvin, talked to Ballislife about the pledge to the Lumberjacks.
“I feel it’s a great opportunity for me, and I can receive hard coaching there,” Bryceson said. “You’ve got coaches there that are coming from Power 5 Schools, so I felt it was a no-brainer. Plus, I love Nac! I’m excited to be there. Also, I’m not very far from home, and honestly, for me to be too far away from Texas, it would have to be a place that’s undeniable.”
Melvin was receiving interest and gained offers from a wide range of levels, including schools in the Power 5. One school was Mississippi State, where assistant coach Javon Austin came from. Bryceson talks about his relationship with Austin.
“Coach Austin was at Mississippi State, and they recruited and offered me. When he got the job at SFA, he reached out to me, so we had a previous relationship. He and coach Braeuer just had a plan for me. They are young coaches who are excited to develop me, and that means a lot, especially how the world of college basketball is now. Development isn’t always high on the list.”
Bryceson’s father played four seasons at N.C. State and finished with career averages of approximately 11 points and six rebounds. Marcus also coached his son for the past two scholastic seasons. Dad gave his insight on what was important for him with regard to where the best fit was for his son.
“For a freshman, wherever you go, you have to be on the court. You have to have a coach who trusts you. He’s going to a situation where he’ll have the chance to play. That will allow him to constantly improve because he’s getting on court and working through mistakes. The learning part of the game is important, and he has to be thrown into the fire.”
Marcus On Being A Proud Father
“Proud of a kid that wasn’t ranked, but against ranked kids, he still performed. I was just proud of how hard he worked. He spent a lot of time in the gym. We worked on a lot of things and had tough conversations, but he kept going. We took the route that emphasized development the most, so I’m just proud of him for sticking through and receiving the fruits of his labor.”
Bryceson’s Game
Possesses a strongly built frame with massive arm length. The combination of power, high-end athleticism, and natural scoring instincts makes Melvin a tough cover. He has a body that’s prepared to play on the collegiate level from a physicality standpoint, and his athleticism will stand out in the Southland Conference. I believe he has the opportunity to be a two-way impact player.
Melvin can take and make tough shots, so down the road he’s someone who can be a viable option in late shot clock scenarios. He will need to continue to polish the handle, create better looks vs. length, and overall just adjust to the speed of the college game. Still, there is a ton of upside with Melvin, and his best basketball is down the road. We will be hearing more about him in the upcoming years.
