Nicolò Melli – better known as “Nico” to his family and teammates – can already envision what his future might look like. 

It will involve children, like his recently born daughter, along with countless other youth he hopes to someday encourage and inspire to chase after their own dreams.

The newly acquired Dallas Mavericks power forward plans to give back to the game that provided him so much joy since he first picked up a basketball as a young boy in Reggio Emilia, Italy.

“I really like to be around kids,” Melli said Thursday afternoon during a virtual Jr. NBA Clinic hosted by the Mavs Academy. “After my career, I’d like to work with kids or have an academy or something.

“I remember as a kid the passion, love and enthusiasm I was bringing to the gym every day. All kids are like this and it’s just pure fun for them. I think it’s really important, too, to teach them the right way (to play) because the more they know, the more they have the right tools and the more they can enjoy the game.”

Melli put his coaching skills to the test at Thursday’s virtual Jr. NBA Clinic, which included children from a Dallas-area organization called Bridgebuilders. The nonprofit seeks to restore relationships with children under the banner of Christ by engaging, equipping and empowering families in South Dallas. Bridgebuilders primarily helps kids of all ages develop mental, reading and life skills, often utilizing creative outlets like sports and the game of basketball.

“I just feel like I’m a lucky person, so you need to share what you have with other people,” Melli explained. “I understood this a little bit later in my career in terms of sharing your experiences.

“Last year I had a journal about my journey in the NBA and just sharing this allowed people to get closer to this basketball world.”

Melli is a dual citizen of Italy and the United States and was born with a competitive spirit in his DNA. His mother, then known as Julie Vollertsen, competed at the 1984 Olympics and was one of 12 members on the beloved U.S. Olympic women’s volleyball team that captured the silver medal.

At the time, no previous American team had ever won a medal in an Olympic volleyball competition. Julie earned the honor of best spiker on the 1984 Olympic team.

A short time later after the Olympics, Julie moved to Italy to play professional volleyball and one day she appeared on a show. She was interviewed by a former amateur basketball player turned journalist by the name of Leopoldo Melli. They eventually married, later welcoming Nicolò and his brother Enrico (also a basketball player) to form a dynamic foursome.

In 2014, the family was awarded the prestigious Premio Reverberi award in Italy for their contribution to sports.

Melli first picked up a basketball as a child growing up in Reggio Emilia, and at age 13 he was called up to train with the senior team — the youngest player to ever get the chance. He sat on the bench, but still, his future potential certainly caught the eyes of scouts.

Melli later turned pro in his teens and eventually met his current Dallas Mavericks teammate, Luka Doncic, along the way. Melli spent a dozen years playing overseas and eventually landed in the NBA with the New Orleans Pelicans as a 28-year-old rookie.

Now 30 years old and married to his wife, Katharina, the 6-foot-9 forward said he’s thrilled to call Dallas home.

“I’m just grateful and thankful for how Dallas and the Mavericks organization welcomed me,” Melli said. “They took care of me and my family with the move and everything.

“They made everything easy, and hopefully I can help the team accomplish the goals that we have.”

One of his personal goals, Melli explains, is to help children become champions both on and off the court. If Thursday is any indication, Melli will certainly be a shining example and role model for North Texas youth.

“Not everyone is as lucky as us as NBA players,” he said. “I want to help kids achieve the goals they have and become a better version of themselves.

“We were there. I was a kid, too. I had my idols, and just the idea that someone has me as an idol is something that blows my mind. Giving back is important and it’s something small and extra that we can give to someone’s life. We should do it more.”

CALLING ALL PARENTS: MAVS SUMMER CAMPS ARE BACK!
After a year of virtual events, Mavs Academy, in partnership with Chick-fil-A DFW, will host in-person summer camps for the first time since Summer 2019. The Academy will bring back Hoop Camp, Dance Camp, Development Camp, Gaming Camp, and the inaugural addition of an All-Girls Hoop Camp. Mavs Academy will continue to monitor the guidelines from various government agencies and local officials, and in-person camps will be held at 50% capacity, with virtual camp options available.

For more summer camp information visit Mavs.com/Academy or click here.

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