Melendez stars for Puerto Rican National Team

July 23rd, 2010
Laura Kent

At 16 just years old Melendez more than held her own in the FIBA tournament

It did not take long for Tayra Melendez to become a standout player in the NEPSAC for The Rivers School. This summer she took her exploits overseas as Tayra made the Puerto Rican U-18 national team.  She is one of the youngest players on the team at only 16. 

In the FIBA tournament, Tayra averaged 3.0 points, and 18. 8 minutes per game, in five games.  She was moved from the 2 guard position in the tourney, because of her 5’11 stature and placed on the post where she averaged 4.6 rebounds a game.

Tayra, who is currently being recruited by Northeastern University, Maine and Holy Cross earned the spot of sixth man on the Puerto Rican roster in less than one month.  It is not surprising according to her coach at Rivers, Bob Pipe.  She won the title of MVP in the NEPSAC Class B championship game this year as a freshman, to be noted, she played this game after breaking her thumb just 5 minutes after the tip off.  Tayra help lead her team to a 20-6 record and to a second place finish in the league.

Melendez dream is to one day play on the Puerto Rican Olympic basketball team.