Wingate University Athletics

Prior to Wingate: Jailah Melvin and her Charger teammates helped Northwood Academy and head coach Ginnell Curtis compile a 23-6 overall record during her senior season. The Chargers won three consecutive AAA SCISA titles with Melvin on the floor. For her efforts this season, Melvin earned the honor of SCISA 3A Player of the Year for the second straight year. She averaged 10.1 points and 5.6 assists, leading the Charger guards in assists as a senior. Melvin also joined Northwood Academy 1000-point club during her final season.
 
As a junior, Melvin and the Chargers claimed her second state title. She was selected to play in the North-South All Star game following a junior season in which she averaged 9.3 points per game and 5.5 assists per game. Melvin was key contributor to the TMP AAU team for head coach Presley Singleton.
 
Melvin also played for the Northwood Academy soccer team. Prior to her time at Northwood Academy, Melvin played one season of basketball at Fort Dorchester High School. During her time at FDHS, Melvin was named the junior varsity MVP following her freshman season.
 
As a Northwood Academy senior, she was named to the academic honor roll list for the third consecutive year for her outstanding work in the classroom. Jailah is the daughter of Larry and Trena Melvin. She has one brother (Jordan) who is stationed in Okinawa, Japan while he is serving for the U.S. Air Force.

Personal: Full name is Jailah DeJana’e Zha’Paige’ Melvin...Born August 23 in Statesboro, Ga....Daughter of Trena and Larry Melvin...Majoring in Biology...Favorite class at Wingate: Biology 160...Favorite athlete: Diana Taurasi...Favorite sports teams: University of North Carolina Tar Heels Men’s Basketball...Favorite movie: Annabelle Creation...Favorite TV Show: The Walking Dead...Jailah can’t imagine a week without: Basketball...Favorite Food: Ribs...Most memorable sports moment: Winning three back-to-back state championships in high school career...Favorite sport to play other than basketball: Soccer...People Jailah most admires: Her mother, father, and older brother...How Jailah gets ready for a game: Pray...Something people don't know about you: I am very artistic. I am a painter...Nickname: Jai...Jailah thinks the fastest person on the team is Taziya Moody, strongest is Danasia Witherspoon, and funniest is Jordan Quick…Favorite quote: “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” -Michael Jordan

Why Jailah chose Wingate: "I chose Wingate because I’ve always felt welcomed on every visit. They’ve treated me like I was already a part of their family. We’ve had lots of fun on and off the court and just being around everyone brings a cheerful smile and a warm heart."