Ryan Mela is off to a very good start to the 2023-24 season. The 6’5 guard out of Natick, MA is currently Providence’s lone commitment in the class of 2024 (having signed in November) and he has put up terrific numbers against elite competition in the first month of the season.
The Newman School went 3-1 over the past week, with a pair of victories this weekend at the National Prep Showcase in Connecticut. They beat Central Florida Academy (67-53) on Saturday and followed that up with a victory the next morning over IMG Academy’s prep team (65-57).
Both games were available online, so this was my first opportunity to see Mela since he played with Middlesex Magic over the summer. He drew fouls at a ridiculous rate all weekend. In the win over Central Florida, Mela drew 10 fouls and finished with 23 points, seven rebounds, and five steals. He shot 8-23 from the field and 7-14 at the foul line, but those numbers are a bit deceiving, as Mela really got it going in the second half.
Newman raced out to a 21-2 lead versus IMG on Sunday. IMG got two within two possessions on three occasions in the second half, but each time Mela had a hand in fending them off — first with an and-1, then on a lefty finish, and finally by knocking down a three. He finished with 16 points (4-11 from the field, 1-3 from 3, 7-10 at the free throw line), while grabbing eight boards and coming up with three more steals. Mela also drew eight fouls in this game. He simply gets where he wants to off the bounce, and plays passing lanes very well on the other end.
The weekend prior, Newman played two tight games with New England powers Putnam Science Academy and South Kent. Mela scored a tough game-winning layup with his left hand to upset Putnam Science, while Newman fell to South Kent by a bucket.
He had 22 points, 10 boards, six assists, and four steals versus South Kent, and 22 points, nine rebounds, five assists, three steals against Putnam Science. The highlights above are from the South Kent game.
Ryan Mela Off to a Fast Start for the Newman School