During his Duke basketball career, Lee Melchionni was the consummate role player. Whether it was knocking down a big shot from beyond the arc, crashing the boards or playing tough defense, the 6-foot-6 forward was ready to step up whenever his team needed him throughout his four years in Durham.

“It was an incredible experience to be a part of something bigger than myself at Duke, and be a part of some great teams that won ACC championships and went to a Final Four—that’s something you dream about as a kid,” Melchionni said.

Lee Melchionni has transitioned from an overseas basketball career to the life of a sports agent. (Chronicle File Photo)

After playing sparingly in his first two collegiate seasons, Melchionni started 14 games during his junior year, averaging 7.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game and shooting 39.6 percent from beyond the arc. After averaging 5.7 points per game during his senior season, Melchionni decided to pursue a basketball career overseas, signing a contract with Cimberio Novara of Italy’s Legadue Basket, the nation’s second basketball division.

But before the end of his senior season, Melchionni met sports agent Arn Tellem, who came to Duke’s campus to court Melchionni’s classmates, rising stars J.J. Redick and Shelden Williams. It was meeting Tellem that piqued Melchionni’s intrest in becoming a sports agent.

“I thought to myself, ‘I’ve seen the movie Jerry Maguire—I can go do that,’” Melchionni said. “That’s how it all got started for me.”

Faced with a new culture, new language and a more physical brand of basketball, Melchionni’s transition to Italian life was not an easy one. It is a struggle that a number of young American players face when playing overseas for the first time.

“It can be extremely lonely,” Melchionni said. “You have 20 free hours a day outside of practice and conditioning. You’re over there by yourself, and I was in a smaller town where very few people spoke English. You’re thrown in the pool and it’s sink or swim.”

Melchionni averaged 5.0 points and 2.9 rebounds per game in the 2006-07 season, playing 17.1 minutes per contest in his first Italian campaign.

It would be his last as well. As the season drew to a close, Melchionni received a call from Tellem, offering him a job at Wasserman Media Group. He returned home that summer to begin his new career.

After spending his entire life as a basketball player, Melchionni was forced to transition to life as a sports agent, which he would soon realize was markedly different from how he had seen it on the silver screen.

“You’re a friend, a motivator, an advisor, a contract negotiator and sometimes you’re just there to listen,” Melchionni said. “You wear many hats as an agent and fill many roles. I think what surprised me was the versatility associated with this job.”

Melchionni continues to work for Wasserman Media Group in Los Angeles, where he also earned a law degree at Loyola Marymount University. He works with dozens of NBA players, including Kendrick Perkins, Byron Mullens, Tiago Splitter and Danilo Gallinari, as well as a number of top overseas players.

Among his clients are former Blue Devils Gerald Henderson and Shelden Williams, who was Melchionni’s roommate for four years at Duke. Melchionni remains connected to the Blue Devil program, and visited with the Duke staff on a recent stop in Durham.

“I still get goosebumps every time I step back on campus,” Melchionni said. “You graduate, and you become a former Duke basketball player, but you never really leave. It’s fun to stay in touch with the guys who have played after me, and it truly is a family.”

With next week’s NBA Draft approaching, Melchionni expects to see a number of his clients drafted in the first round. Melchionni has worked with a number of top prospects, including Louisville’s Gorgui Dieng, Gonzaga’s Kelly Olynyk, Kansas’ Jeff Withey, North Texas’ Tony Mitchell, Georgia’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Pittsburgh’s Steven Adams, Marquette’s Vander Blue, Detroit’s Ray McCallum, Davidson’s Jake Cohen and Missouri’s Alex Oriakhi.

A long journey for Melchionni has come full circle. After beginning his own professional basketball career nearly seven years ago, he has found a way to help others break into the professional ranks.

2016 recruit Harry Giles will undergo knee surgery after tearing multiple major ligaments. (Nicole Savage/The Chronicle)

Giles, a Winston-Salem, N.C. native, has made unofficial visits to Duke a number of times during his high school career. He was most recently on hand to watch the Blue Devils defeat Miami at home in March.

The 6-foot-9 forward does not hold a scholarship offer from Duke yet, but was expected to receive an offer in the near future. North Carolina offered Giles a scholarship last season, when he was just 14 years old. An offer from N.C. State followed soon after.

Following his injury, Giles’ sophomore season at Wesleyan Christian Academy is in serious jeopardy. Giles and North Carolina commit Theo Pinson led the Trojans to a state championship last season.

Story coming on ESPN. No. 1 Harry Giles tore his ACL, MCL and meniscus last week. Giles is a state champion PF and rising SOPH.

— Dave Telep (@DaveTelep) June 19, 2013

After suffering a major knee injury, it appears Giles’ recruiting process may be put on hold for the time being, as coaches await to see how he can return to form following what could be a lengthy rehab process.

In a 25-minute conversation with the soldiers, Krzyzewski addressed the topics of leadership and teamwork as well as the important relationship between the armed forces and USA Basketball. Directly after the hangout when he met with The Chronicle for their annual exclusive interview, Krzyzewski said the hangout showed him the new ways technology can help him to maintain a close relationship with members of the armed forces. Check out Krzyzewski’s first #HeroesHangout with soldiers from around the globe:

Krzyzewski graduated from West Point in 1969 after playing four years under then-head coach Bob Knight. He went on to serve in the Army for three years, earning the rank of Captain.

Serving as co-moderator for the #HeroesHangout was Duke’s former Director of Basketball Operations, Chris Spatola. Spatola also played college basketball at Army before serving and earning the rank of Captain. Since leaving Duke, Spatola has pursued a broadcasting career with CBS.

Alex Murphy and Amile Jefferson run drills at Fort Bragg in October 2012. (Chronicle File Photo)

Krzyzewski has turned to the armed forces as an example throughout his coaching career. The Blue Devil head coach took his team to train at Fort Bragg last fall, and during the hangout he mentions the time his U.S. Men’s National Team spent with the military before departing for the 2012 Olympic Games as one of the pivotal moments in the squad’s development.

Rasheed Sulaimon will represent the U.S. in the upcoming U19 World Championship. (Photo by Elysia Su/The Chronicle)

Sophomore guard Rasheed Sulaimon will represent the United States at the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship in Prague, Czech Republic. Sulaimon was one of 12 players named to the team’s roster, which was released early Tuesday morning.

Chicago product Jahlil Okafor and Houston native Justise Winslow—Class of 2014 targets who have received scholarship offers from Duke—both made the roster as well. Okafor and Winslow are the team’s only two rising high school seniors.

The squad will be coached by Florida head coach Billy Donovan. Assistant coaches include Virginia’s Tony Bennett and VCU’s Shaka Smart.

Sulaimon won a gold medal for the United States in the U18 World Championship, where the 6-foot-4 guard averaged double figures.

Following the conclusion of the team’s training camp in Colorado Springs, Colo., the final U19 squad will relocate to Washington D.C. for three days of at the Washington Wizards practice facility. The 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship is set to begin June 27.

Looney’s play drew the attention of ESPN Senior Recruiting Analyst Dave Telep, who was on hand.

Kevon Looney don't care if you're 7-0 or 6-0 he's attacking that rim. Bad man right there. #NBATop100

— Dave Telep (@DaveTelep) June 14, 2013

After allowing his parents to correspond with coaches, it appears Looney—the No. 9 player in the Class of 2014 according to ESPN—is starting to take control of his recruiting process. Looney has yet to cut his list of schools, but Rivals ACC Recruiting Analyst Clint Jackson tweeted that when he spoke to Looney, the forward mentioned Duke, Florida, Michigan, Michigan State, Tennessee and Georgetown among his suitors.

new http://t.co/8i09fn6iLq video interview with Kevon Looney. Duke, Florida, Michigan, Michigan State, Tenn, Gtown http://t.co/nMqNGIzB60

— Clint Jackson (@clintjackson1) June 16, 2013

Looney was named to the camp’s All-Star team along with fellow Duke target Devin Booker. A 6-foot-5 guard, Booker is rated the No. 16 player in the Class of 2014 by ESPN. But Booker suffered a high ankle sprain on the second day of the showcase, ending his weekend early.

. @DevinBook high ankle sprain – Done at @Top100Camp – impressive week – good opportunity now to rest up for a grueling July viewing period

— Tim McCormick (@TMcCormickESPN) June 15, 2013

In addition to showing off his skills on the court, Booker used some of his free time to go 1-on-1 with one of the showcase’s coaches, NBA veteran Andre Iguodala. Playing against one of the NBA’s top defenders, Booker showed off stepback jumper.

As Booker’s recruiting process continues to heat up, it appears he may be taking a trip to Ann Arbor soon for an official visit at Michigan.

BBall: Devin Booker, No. 16 on ESPN top 100 rankings for 2014, reportedly will take official visit to Michigan. http://t.co/PBkogSZ0Gf

— Michigan Sports News (@SportingNewsMI) June 14, 2013

Duke commit Grayson Allen was also on hand, impressing the scouts with both his athleticism and leadership on the floor.

Duke commit Grayson Allen has been excellent. Great leader on the court who puts his teammates in the best position possible. #NBATop100

— Alex Kline (@TheRecruitScoop) June 14, 2013

As the weekend wore on in Charlottesville, coaches across the country were allowed unrestricted communication via phone call and text message with Class of 2015 recruits for the first time.

Jackson said one of Duke’s first calls was to 7-footer Stephen Zimmerman, a center from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, the same program that produced Shabazz Muhammad, a former Blue Devil target who will likely be a lottery pick in next week’s NBA Draft.

First day of 2015 contact, Duke reached out to 7-0 C Stephen Zimmerman. Super skilled and agile center.

— Clint Jackson (@clintjackson1) June 16, 2013

On the other side of the country, Jahlil Okafor and Justise Winslow competed alongside Duke sophomore Rasheed Sulaimon at the USA Basketball Men’s U19 World Championship training camp in Colorado Springs, Colo. Suiting up against a number of players who already had a year of college experience presented a challenge for Okafor and Winslow, but it was one that the highly-touted rising seniors would rise to meet.

Both Okafor—the No. 1 player in the Class of 2014 according to ESPN—and Winslow—ranked 15th—were among the 16 finalists to represent the United States in next month’s U19 World Championship. Sulaimon was named a finalist as well.

Sulaimon and Winslow are both Houston natives and were teammates on the AAU circuit with Houston Hoops. Winslow’s connection with Sulaimon—coupled with Sulaimon’s stellar freshman campaign—is an intriguing backstory to the 6-foot-5 forward’s recruitment.

Headed out to USA trials with the big bro @sheed_ctmd1. Gotta represent for the H!

— Justise Winslow (@Chief_Justise) June 14, 2013

Okafor’s desire to play alongside top-rated point guard Tyus Jones in college is one of the worst kept secrets in this year’s recruiting cycle. But recent speculation that Winslow may want to jump in on this recruiting class’ most prestigious package could be legitimate. In an interview with Adam Zagoria last weekend, Winslow said that playing in college with Okafor and Jones is “something [they] talk about.”

Although both Okafor and Winslow added that their college choices would ultimately serve their own best interest and nobody else’s, Winslow’s addition to this package would turn college basketball’s biggest recruiting sweepstakes into some sort of mega-millions jackpot. Baylor, Duke and Kansas are the only three schools that remain on Okafor, Jones and Winslow’s lists.

Sulaimon is competing at training camp alongside Jahlil Okafor and Justise Winslow, Class of 2014 players who have both received scholarship offers from Duke.

In an interview Saturday, Sulaimon discussed his experience competing for the U18 World Championships as well as the importance of playing for Team USA.

Duke alum Kevin Streelman, who graduated from Duke in 2001, finished his first two rounds of play at Merion Golf Course in Ardmore, Penn. at 10-over-par, missing the cut by two strokes. Streelman looked to be in solid position to make the cut after posting a two-over 72 in the first round, but struggled on day two and shot an eight-over 78 to place him out of contention.

Streelman has had a career year on the PGA Tour in 2013. After notching his first victory on tour in March, Streelman entered play at the U.S. Open ranking sixth on the Tour’s money list in 2013.

Joe Ogilvie, a 1996 graduate, posted a score of 16-over-par in two rounds of play. Ogilvie qualified for the U.S. Open earlier this month at the Congressional Country Club Sectional Qualifier in Memphis, Tenn.

The difficult par-70 Merion course has kept scores high through the first two days of U.S. Open play. Through two rounds, Billy Horschel and Phil Mickelson are tied for the clubhouse lead at one-under-par. They are the only two players in the field who are still under par at this point.

Up stepped former Blue Devil Nate Freiman.

After taking a ball, the rookie first baseman for the A’s lined a broken bat single into left field to give the A’s a 3-2 win and a series sweep over the Yankees.

Former Blue Devil Nate Freiman has broken into the big leagues with the Oakland A’s. (Chronicle File Photo)

Freiman was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 28th round of the 2008 Draft as a junior, but opted to return to Durham for his senior season. The six-foot-eight right-handed hitter is Duke’s career leader in home runs with 43. After a successful senior campaign, he was an eighth-round selection by the San Diego Padres in 2009.

After bouncing around a bit, Freiman was scooped up by the A’s in March, and had two hits in his major league debut April 3. He’s gotten off to quite a start, hitting .351 with three doubles, a home run and nine RBI in May on his way to claiming American League Rookie of the Month honors.

Freiman has split time at first base this season with Brandon Moss, a left-handed hitter, based on pitching matchups. Entering Thursday, Freiman was hitting a crisp .338 against left-handed pitching, but just .083 against righties, making his game-ender against the future Hall of Famer Rivera, a right-hander, even more impressive.

With right-hander Hiroki Kuroda starting the game on the mound for the Yankees, Freiman was relegated to the bench until the 16th inning, when he came in as a defensive replacement. He lined out to right field in his one at-bat prior to his game-ending heroics.

Freiman is one of three former Blue Devils currently on big league rosters. The other two are both pitchers: starter pitcher Chris Capuano of the Los Angeles Dodgers (currently on the disabled list with a strained back) and relief pitcher Greg Burke of the New York Mets.

The hit against Rivera was Freiman’s fourth hit of the series—he had two hits against powerful southpaw C.C. Sabathia Tuesday night—and his first career walk-off. As is customary for the A’s, Freiman received a shaving cream pie to the face and was doused by a Gatorade cooler by teammates during his postgame interview—no small feat, given his height.

Freiman’s wife, former Blue Devil golfer Amanda Blumenherst, was on hand at the game.

Plumlee appears to have been working heavily on his mid-range jump shooting in the months leading up to the NBA Draft. The 6-foot-11 forward was predominantly a post scorer during his days at Duke, but showed a soft touch with his jumper in his Wizards workout, even stepping out to knock a few down from 3-point range. Check out highlights of Plumlee’s Wizards workout, courtesy of Monumental Sports.

After his workout, Plumlee sat down with Dave Johnson and Glen Consor of Monumental Sports, where the former Blue Devil gave his own scouting report and discussed the NBA Draft advice he got from his older brother Miles, what it was like to play for Mike Krzyzewski and basketball games in the Plumlee driveway.

Goodluck Okonoboh on the phone with coach K again an offered a scholarship by Duke this morning. @Goodlucko_12

— Rivals Nation (@RivalsNation) June 12, 2013

Okonoboh is ranked the No. 19 recruit in the Class of 2014 by ESPN and holds a slew of scholarship offers from top programs, including Indiana and Syracuse.

Born to Nigerian parents, Okonoboh’s uncommon first name is inspired by his father surviving a gunshot at close range the week before he was born. Okonoboh tells the story of how he got his name in a video feature with fivestarbasketball.

Grayson Allen remains the Blue Devils’ lone Class of 2014 commit. Duke has also extended scholarship offers to Jahlil Okafor, Tyus Jones, Justise Winslow, Kevon Looney, Trey Lyles, Devin Booker and now Okonoboh.

Okafor—ranked the No. 1 recruit in his class by ESPN—is Duke’s priority in terms of post players in this year’s class, but as the recruiting battle for his services heats up, it appears the Blue Devils are broadening their horizons as well.