Fenerbahce has reached a two-year agreement with Nicolo Melli as the club announced Tuesday. Melli, who became a free agent after parting ways with Olimpia Milan, returns to the Turkish giants. Melli played for Fener between 2017-2019 before making the jump to the NBA.
He returned to Europe in 2021 and stayed with his first club for three seasons helping Ettore Messina group to a Final-Four appearance.
Melli averaged 7.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 9.6 PIR with Milan in the previous EuroLeague season. The Italian forward averaged 8.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in the LBA.
The 33-year-old forward had a very successful run during his first stint with Fenerbahce reaching the EuroLeague championship game once. He played a major role in Fener’s third consecutive EuroLeague final appearance, at the time scoring 28 points in the championship game against Real Madrid in 2018.
Melli made the jump to the NBA in 2019 leaving Fener for the New Orleans Pelicans. He played in 60 NBA games during the 2019-20 season and averaged 6.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists.
The Italian forward spent the 2020-21 season with the Pelicans and Mavericks before making the decision to return to Europe.
