Biography
Nicolò Melli, born January 26, 1991, in Reggio Emilia, Italy, is a versatile forward whose professional basketball career has spanned both the NBA and European leagues. He played for the New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 NBA seasons, but his most notable achievements were in European basketball.
Melli started his career in Italy with Pallacanestro Reggiana and Olimpia Milan before moving to Germany where he won two German National Championships with Brose Bamberg. He then joined Fenerbahçe Istanbul in Türkiye, winning the Turkish National Championship and then returned to Olimpia Milan where he added multiple Italian National Championships to his record, also solidified his reputation as a prominent player in European basketball.
On the international stage, Nicolò Melli has represented Italy in several major tournaments, including the European Championships and the Olympic Games, demonstrating his dedication to his national team. His accolades include being named to the All-EuroLeague Second Team and earning MVP honors in multiple EuroLeague rounds, emphasizing his impact on the court.
In 2024, Melli signed a two-year contract with Fenerbahçe Beko, returning to Istanbul with the clear goal of winning the EuroLeague. The decision reflects his competitive drive and commitment to succeeding at the highest level in Europe, even if he accepts a slightly lower salary than that offered by Olimpia Milano , prioritized his career aspirations over financial considerations.
Italian basketball striker
Nicolò Melli |
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 Nicolò Melli: History ‧ Bio ‧ Photos |
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| Wiki Info & About Data | |
| Real name: | Nicolò Melli |
| Born: | January 26, 1991 (33 years old) |
| Place of birth: | Reggio Emilia, Italy |
| Nationality: | Italian |
| Education: | not applicable |
| Height: | 2.06 m |
| Parents: | Julie Vollertsen, Leopoldo Melli |
| Siblings: | Enrico Melli |
| Couple: | Unmarried |
| Girlfriend • Partner: | not applicable |
| Children: | 1 |
| Job: | Basketball player |
| Net worth: | 100,000 USD-1 million USD (USD) |
Early Life & Education
Nicolò Melli was born on January 26, 1991 in Reggio Emilia, Italy, to Julie Vollertsen and Leopoldo Melli. He has an older brother named Enrico Melli. Although details about his ethnicity and religion are not widely known, he was of Italian nationality and may have been influenced by Italian cultural and religious traditions, such as Roman Catholicism. Ma, although his personal beliefs have not been discussed publicly.
Melli’s passion for basketball, which began early in his hometown, shaped his upbringing and education. Information about his education is limited, suggesting that his focus on sports may have taken precedence over a traditional academic path. He may have attended schools or programs geared toward athletic development, a common path for young athletes pursuing professional careers.
Although there is no public record of higher education or specialized training, Nicolò Melli may have participated in some form of sports-related education. However, his remarkable basketball career overshadowed this aspect of his life.
Career
Nicolò Melli’s basketball career reflects his versatility, skill and dedication to the game. He began playing basketball with local clubs in his hometown of Reggio Emilia, eventually joining the youth team of Pallacanestro Reggiana. Melli made his professional debut with Reggiana, quickly gaining recognition in the Italian basketball scene.
His early success took him to Olimpia Milan, one of Italy’s top basketball clubs, where he further developed his game, excelling at both forward positions. In 2014, Melli moved to Germany to play for Brose Bamberg, where he won the German Basketball Bundesliga championship in 2015 and 2016, establishing himself as an important figure in European basketball.
Nicolò Melli’s next big move was to Fenerbahçe in Türkiye, where he continued his success by winning the Turkish Basketball Super League in 2017. He then returned to Olimpia Milan in 2017, played a key role in winning multiple Italian League championships (2018, 2019). , 2020, 2022) and Italian Cup (2018, 2019, 2020, 2022), demonstrating consistent performance and leadership.
In 2019, Melli made his NBA debut with the New Orleans Pelicans, where he demonstrated his ability to adapt to the fast-paced league. The following year, he joined the Dallas Mavericks, continuing to prove his versatility as a forward, although his time in the NBA was brief and mainly focused on gaining experience.
Following his NBA career, Nicolò Melli returned to Italy with Virtus Bologna for the 2021-2022 season, adding another Italian League championship to his accomplishments in 2022. In 2024, he rejoined Fenerbahçe Beko in Istanbul, aims to win the EuroLeague and reaffirm its commitment to compete at the highest level of European basketball.
Melli is also a regular member of the Italian national team, competing in international tournaments such as EuroBasket and the Olympic Games. His career highlights include being named to the All-EuroLeague Second Team, earning MVP honors in several EuroLeague rounds, and receiving multiple Italian League MVP awards.
Social Media
- Instagram: Nicolò Melli (@nikmelli)
- Twitter: Nicolò Melli (@NikMelli) / X
Personal life
Nicolò Melli’s marital status and details about his family life are not publicly available in his official profile or social networks. However, he has described himself as a “Proud father and daughter” on Instagram, said he has at least one daughter, although information about his wife or partner has not yet been revealed.
Melli’s dating history is not widely documented, which is common with many athletes who want to keep their personal lives private while focusing on their careers.
At approximately 6 feet 10 inches (208 cm), Nicolò Melli’s height is a significant asset as a forward and center in basketball.
Net worth
Nicolò Melli’s net worth is estimated to be between $100,000 and $1 million, primarily reflecting his earnings from his professional basketball career in various leagues, including the NBA and other leagues. Top European leagues like EuroLeague.
During his time in the NBA, Melli earned approximately $4,102,564 with the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2019-20 season, which increased to approximately $4,612,710 in the 2020-21 season with the Dallas Mavericks. These numbers could be higher today when adjusted for inflation or currency conversions.
Returning to Europe for the 2024-25 season with Fenerbahçe Beko Istanbul, Nicolò Melli’s contract is said to be worth around 1.4 million euros for two seasons. This represents a lower annual salary than his NBA earnings but is in line with his desire to compete in the EuroLeague.
During his career, Melli has earned at least $8 million from his professional contracts, not including endorsements, bonuses or other sources of income that could further enhance his net worth his net.
Melli’s decision to return to Fenerbahçe was motivated by his ambition to win the EuroLeague rather than purely financial reasons, although he chose a lower salary than offers from other teams such as Olimpia Milano.
