University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Men's Hoops Adds Trio to Recruiting Class
4/16/2020 11:56:00 AM | Men's Basketball
UNC men's basketball signed Jamel Melvin, Marque English and Jalen Page
New Northern Colorado men's basketball head coach Steve Smiley welcomed three new recruits to the program on Wednesday in Jamel Melvin, Marque English and Jalen Page.
Jamel Melvin, 6-9, 205, McLean, Virginia
Jamel Melvin comes to Greeley from McLean, Virginia where he attended The Potomac School.
"We're thrilled about the addition of Jamel to our roster. Jamel is a really talented player that has a really high ceiling as he continues to develop both his skill level and his body. He played in a very competitive league and continually showed his talent level throughout the season at The Potomac School," Smiley said. "Jamel is going to be able to play a couple of different positions for us, and his size, length, rebounding ability and shot-blocking ability will help us on both ends of the floor. Offensively, Jamel is a multi-dimensional player that can score both from the perimeter and the post. Jamel is also a standout student and will fit into our culture from day one!"
Melvin was a two-time All-MAC League selection, his junior and senior season along with being named the Potomac High School Defensive MVP both seasons. He earned the team's MVP award last year while averaging 14.5 points per game and scoring in double figures in 22 of 25 games. He cracked 20-plus points three times, including a season-high 31.
"The sky is the limit for Jamel! During his time at The Potomac School, he has been the ultimate student-athlete. In the classroom, Jamel's totally engaged, proficient, and proactive when it comes to his studies. On the court, he is hardworking, coachable, and selfless within our program, The Potomac School head coach Levi Franklin said. "He's been our leading scorer, rebounder and shot blocker for the last two seasons. He will be missed immensely, we are looking forward to watching Jamel's continued growth, not only as a player but as a young man at Northern Colorado."
Melvin played for the DC Thunder on the AAU circuit for coach Brian Walker.
He is the son of Corwin Melvin and Darlene Flowers with a pair of older brothers Jaren and Jalen. Jalen played college basketball at West Virginia Wesleyan.
Melvin chose UNC over Southern Utah, James Madison, Townson, Loyola (Maryland), Howard and Mississippi Valley State.
Get to Know Jamel
Major: Undecided
Favorite hobby: Playing video game
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite NBA player: Anthony Davis
Favorite music: Shabazz PBG
Marque English, 6-6, 205, Pittsburg, Kansas
Marque English is adds versatility to its lineup with the junior college transfer. He comes to UNC after a strong season at Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas.
"Adding Marque to our roster was a really big focus of our recruiting and we're so excited that he chose to become a Bear. Marque adds a lot of value to the roster in many aspects, including shooting, rebounding, the ability to play on the perimeter, post up vs switches, and ultimately, he will add additional toughness, maturity and character to next year's team," head coach Steve Smiley said. "Marque consistently performed at a high level this year at Butler Community College on one of the best teams in one of the best junior college regions in the country. Having three years of eligibility remaining, Marque will be a staple of our program for a long time!"
English helped lead Butler to the NJCAA Region VI finals by averaging 11.0 points and 5.9 rebounds. An efficient shooter he was 49.8 percent from the field and shot an impressive 40.5 percent from beyond the arc. His performance in his lone year at Butler CC earned him All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference honorable mention honors.
"Marque is a great addition to UNC. He has a chance to have a great career in the Big Sky," Butler CC head coach Kyle Fisher said. "He is a tough, physical forward with the ability to shoot the three. I loved coaching Marque because he is a winner, who plays hard, and will do anything you ask him to do."
Prior to attending Butler CC, he was at Link Prep in Branson, Missouri for a year after a great high school career at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kansas.
"Marque has one of the best work ethics I've ever encountered in my eighteen years of coaching," Link Year Prep head coach Adam Donyes said. "He's a true team player and willing to do whatever it takes to win. I am confident he is going to fit perfectly into the UNC culture and what they stand for. As great of a basketball player Marque is, he's even better off the court as a young man!"
English was a 1,000 point scorer in high school earning the Kansas 5A Player of the Year award his senior season and first team All-State honors. He was apart of three league titles, two sub-state championships, and two state appearances at PHS. English helped the Dragons to a third place state finish his senior season.
He chose to come to UNC rather than return to Butler CC for his second year of eligibility.
English is the son of DeShaun and Kim English.
Get to Know Marque
Major: Psychology
Favorite Hobby: Playing PlayStation with his Brother
Favorite Food: Steak 'n Shake
Favorite NBA Player: James Harden
Favorite Music: Rap
Jalen Page, 6-5, 190, Boulder, Colo.
The Bears kept another talented in-state prospect home with the commitment of 6-5, Jalen Page from Fairview High School.
"We're really excited that Jalen decided to join our program. He is an absolute winner, culminating with championships both for his Fairview High School team and for his summer club team, the Colorado Titans," head coach Steve Smiley said. "Jalen is a skilled forward that will continue to grow, develop, and mature. Jalen has proven his ability both on the perimeter and in the post when needed. In recruiting, we always emphasize finding players from winning programs, and Jalen truly embodies that vision."
Page earned the second team All-State honors in 2019-20 averaging 13.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.2 blocks per game. He helped Fairview High School to a 23-3 record and second seed in the CHSAA 5A Tournament making it to the final four before COVID-19 ended their season early. Page also won the Front Range Conference and Boulder County Player of the Year award.
He played on the varsity team for three years averaging double-figures scoring in all of them. A two-sport athlete he was on Fairview's football team as a wide receiver helping the team to state quarterfinals in 2019.
"Jalen is the player who never cared about his stats or whether or not he got the credit for how well things were going. He only cared about how he could help his team win games," Fairview head coach Patrick Burke said. "Plain and simple, Jalen is a winner. He cares about his teammates and loves the game. As a three-year starter Jalen racked up countless individual awards and recognition, but he is proudest of the bonds he built with teammates while winning three conference titles, and making it to the Final Four his senior season. I know he will do great things at UNC."
Page played for one of the top AAU programs in Colorado in the Colorado Titans and head coach Rick Jimenez.
He is the son of Clancy Page and has a brother and sister Grant and Kailey.
Get to Know Jalen
Major: Undecided looking at sports medicine or business
Favorite hobby: Playing video games
Favorite food: Hamburgers
Favorite NBA team: Denver Nuggets
Favorite NBA player: Zion Williamson
Favorite music: Rap/NBA Youngboy
To stay up to date on all things UNC men's basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Jamel Melvin, 6-9, 205, McLean, Virginia
Jamel Melvin comes to Greeley from McLean, Virginia where he attended The Potomac School.
"We're thrilled about the addition of Jamel to our roster. Jamel is a really talented player that has a really high ceiling as he continues to develop both his skill level and his body. He played in a very competitive league and continually showed his talent level throughout the season at The Potomac School," Smiley said. "Jamel is going to be able to play a couple of different positions for us, and his size, length, rebounding ability and shot-blocking ability will help us on both ends of the floor. Offensively, Jamel is a multi-dimensional player that can score both from the perimeter and the post. Jamel is also a standout student and will fit into our culture from day one!"
Melvin was a two-time All-MAC League selection, his junior and senior season along with being named the Potomac High School Defensive MVP both seasons. He earned the team's MVP award last year while averaging 14.5 points per game and scoring in double figures in 22 of 25 games. He cracked 20-plus points three times, including a season-high 31.
"The sky is the limit for Jamel! During his time at The Potomac School, he has been the ultimate student-athlete. In the classroom, Jamel's totally engaged, proficient, and proactive when it comes to his studies. On the court, he is hardworking, coachable, and selfless within our program, The Potomac School head coach Levi Franklin said. "He's been our leading scorer, rebounder and shot blocker for the last two seasons. He will be missed immensely, we are looking forward to watching Jamel's continued growth, not only as a player but as a young man at Northern Colorado."
Melvin played for the DC Thunder on the AAU circuit for coach Brian Walker.
He is the son of Corwin Melvin and Darlene Flowers with a pair of older brothers Jaren and Jalen. Jalen played college basketball at West Virginia Wesleyan.
Melvin chose UNC over Southern Utah, James Madison, Townson, Loyola (Maryland), Howard and Mississippi Valley State.
Get to Know Jamel
Major: Undecided
Favorite hobby: Playing video game
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite NBA player: Anthony Davis
Favorite music: Shabazz PBG
Marque English, 6-6, 205, Pittsburg, Kansas
Marque English is adds versatility to its lineup with the junior college transfer. He comes to UNC after a strong season at Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas.
"Adding Marque to our roster was a really big focus of our recruiting and we're so excited that he chose to become a Bear. Marque adds a lot of value to the roster in many aspects, including shooting, rebounding, the ability to play on the perimeter, post up vs switches, and ultimately, he will add additional toughness, maturity and character to next year's team," head coach Steve Smiley said. "Marque consistently performed at a high level this year at Butler Community College on one of the best teams in one of the best junior college regions in the country. Having three years of eligibility remaining, Marque will be a staple of our program for a long time!"
English helped lead Butler to the NJCAA Region VI finals by averaging 11.0 points and 5.9 rebounds. An efficient shooter he was 49.8 percent from the field and shot an impressive 40.5 percent from beyond the arc. His performance in his lone year at Butler CC earned him All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference honorable mention honors.
"Marque is a great addition to UNC. He has a chance to have a great career in the Big Sky," Butler CC head coach Kyle Fisher said. "He is a tough, physical forward with the ability to shoot the three. I loved coaching Marque because he is a winner, who plays hard, and will do anything you ask him to do."
Prior to attending Butler CC, he was at Link Prep in Branson, Missouri for a year after a great high school career at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kansas.
"Marque has one of the best work ethics I've ever encountered in my eighteen years of coaching," Link Year Prep head coach Adam Donyes said. "He's a true team player and willing to do whatever it takes to win. I am confident he is going to fit perfectly into the UNC culture and what they stand for. As great of a basketball player Marque is, he's even better off the court as a young man!"
English was a 1,000 point scorer in high school earning the Kansas 5A Player of the Year award his senior season and first team All-State honors. He was apart of three league titles, two sub-state championships, and two state appearances at PHS. English helped the Dragons to a third place state finish his senior season.
He chose to come to UNC rather than return to Butler CC for his second year of eligibility.
English is the son of DeShaun and Kim English.
Get to Know Marque
Major: Psychology
Favorite Hobby: Playing PlayStation with his Brother
Favorite Food: Steak 'n Shake
Favorite NBA Player: James Harden
Favorite Music: Rap
Jalen Page, 6-5, 190, Boulder, Colo.
The Bears kept another talented in-state prospect home with the commitment of 6-5, Jalen Page from Fairview High School.
"We're really excited that Jalen decided to join our program. He is an absolute winner, culminating with championships both for his Fairview High School team and for his summer club team, the Colorado Titans," head coach Steve Smiley said. "Jalen is a skilled forward that will continue to grow, develop, and mature. Jalen has proven his ability both on the perimeter and in the post when needed. In recruiting, we always emphasize finding players from winning programs, and Jalen truly embodies that vision."
Page earned the second team All-State honors in 2019-20 averaging 13.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.2 blocks per game. He helped Fairview High School to a 23-3 record and second seed in the CHSAA 5A Tournament making it to the final four before COVID-19 ended their season early. Page also won the Front Range Conference and Boulder County Player of the Year award.
He played on the varsity team for three years averaging double-figures scoring in all of them. A two-sport athlete he was on Fairview's football team as a wide receiver helping the team to state quarterfinals in 2019.
"Jalen is the player who never cared about his stats or whether or not he got the credit for how well things were going. He only cared about how he could help his team win games," Fairview head coach Patrick Burke said. "Plain and simple, Jalen is a winner. He cares about his teammates and loves the game. As a three-year starter Jalen racked up countless individual awards and recognition, but he is proudest of the bonds he built with teammates while winning three conference titles, and making it to the Final Four his senior season. I know he will do great things at UNC."
Page played for one of the top AAU programs in Colorado in the Colorado Titans and head coach Rick Jimenez.
He is the son of Clancy Page and has a brother and sister Grant and Kailey.
Get to Know Jalen
Major: Undecided looking at sports medicine or business
Favorite hobby: Playing video games
Favorite food: Hamburgers
Favorite NBA team: Denver Nuggets
Favorite NBA player: Zion Williamson
Favorite music: Rap/NBA Youngboy
To stay up to date on all things UNC men's basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
UNC Weekly Press Conference - Steve Smiley (Mar 17)
Tuesday, March 17
UNC Weekly Press Conference - Steve Smiley (Mar 3)
Tuesday, March 03
Steve Smiley, Quinn Denker and Ciara Piffarerio Press Conference vs Montana
Tuesday, March 03
UNC Weekly Press Conference - Steve Smiley (Feb. 24)
Tuesday, February 24
