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How Far Can His Feet Take Him?
February 11, 2000 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 11, 2000
By Cameron Batten
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Forrest Gump never knew running would take him anywhere. Not so the case with Orlando Melendez.
As a kid, Melendez ran two miles to the nearest playground to play pickup games with his peers. He played all afternoon in the Puerto Rican sun and when dusk landed, Melendez went home via the same manner in which he came: he ran.
Those days galloping back and forth to the playground have now paid off as he currently stands as a backup forward on the North Carolina men's basketball team. His speed and jumping ability make him a viable threat as a swingman for the Tar Heels.
"I knew by running such long distances as a kid, I would only get better and stronger," says Melendez.
Running is a staple in the Melendez heritage. His father is a former marathon runner and his grandfather is a track and field expert. The two passed on their running expertise to Orlando, who had the team's fastest time in the mile run in the 1999-2000 preseason with a time of 4:55.5.
Athletic expertise is not all the two have passed down to Melendez. His family has afforded him a continuous flow of support and encouragement.
"My parents and both sides of my grandparents have been my inspiration. They have always been there for me and have pushed me to the limit all my life."
Melendez's path to UNC was not like most of his teammates. He was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and spent his adolescent years there enhancing his basketball skills in youth leagues. In high school, Melendez came to the states as an exchange student at McDowell County High School in the mountains of North Carolina.
Since Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, Melendez found his transition to American culture fairly smooth. The biggest adjustment he had to make was in the game of basketball.
"The international style of play is more physical and more technical," he said. "I had to adapt to the American style, which I find more strict, more fast-paced with more specialized positions."
Melendez appears specialized for the small forward position. His 6'8 frame, coupled with his natural athletic ability, has helped him gain the top vertical jumping ability on the squad. It appears as if he prayed alongside Forrest and Jenny Gump as a kid, saying "Turn me into a bird so I can fly far far away."
Being a part of the Tar Heel basketball family has taught him a significant amount about himself and who he wants to be.
"You learn the most by experience," he says. "Being a team member has helped me grow into the person I want to be, physically, socially and emotionally. I happy about who I am and where I'm at in my life."
Melendez is the epitome of a team player. Even though he averages little playing time, he is often seen as the first Tar Heel off his feet throwing high-fives to teammates as they sit to rest. He said he expects the same when he comes off the court.
"It's so important to push each other, both in practice and in games," he says. "Only then can we be better as individual athletes and as a team."
Melendez sees each game as a learning experience for the Tar Heels.
"Whether we win or lose, we find out more about ourselves as a team," he says. "We recognize our strengths and learn by our mistakes. Hopefully, we can come back the next game and play a smarter."
Only a redshirt sophomore, Melendez hopes to come back for many more games. Even though he is uncertain of his future, he knows he wants to continue to improve both as a student and as an athlete. He wants to graduate first and hopefully, find a way to play after school.
"Basketball is a sport that I never want to give up," he says. "I would love to get a chance to play professionally in a league, but I still have a lot of time left here to think about my options."
Melendez should consider his options thoroughly because he is a healthy, intelligent and self-motivated individual. As Mama Gump always told Forrest, "There's an awful lot you can tell about a person by their shoes ... where they're going and where they have been."
Melendez's shoes explain where he has been and his bright outlook on life gives others a clear perception of his future.
