Melvin Ely

For the history professor and author, see Melvin Patrick Ely.

Melvin Ely
Personal information
Born (1978-05-02) May 2, 1978 (age 46)
Harvey, Illinois, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight261 lb (118 kg)
Career information
High schoolThornton Township
(Harvey, Illinois)
CollegeFresno State (1998–2002)
NBA draft2002: 1st round, 12th overall pick
Selected by the Los Angeles Clippers
Playing career2002–2016
PositionCenter / power forward
Number2, 33, 34, 4
Coaching career2016–2019
Career history
As player:
2002–2004Los Angeles Clippers
2004–2007Charlotte Bobcats
2007San Antonio Spurs
2007–2009New Orleans Hornets
2010–2011Denver Nuggets
2012Brujos de Guayama
2012–2014Texas Legends
2014New Orleans Pelicans
2014–2015Gunma Crane Thunders
As coach:
2016–2019Canton Charge (assistant)
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Medals
Men's Basketball
Representing  United States
Summer Universiade
Bronze medal – third place 2001 Beijing Team competition

Melvin Anderson Ely (/iːˈlaɪ/; born May 2, 1978) is an American former professional basketball player who was also an assistant coach for the Canton Charge of the NBA G League.

A 6'10", 261 lb (118 kg), power forward–center from Fresno State, Ely was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round (12th overall pick) of the 2002 NBA draft. At Fresno State, he enjoyed a prolific career under the coaching of Jerry Tarkanian.

High school career

[edit]

While attending Harvey Thornton High School, Ely earned All-American honors from McDonald's and Parade Magazine. As a senior in 1997, he averaged 15.5 points per game, 9.3 rebounds per game and 5.2 blocked shots per game during the regular season and was named the Chicago Sun-Times player of the year and first team all-state. Ely led his Wildcats to a second-place finish in 1995 and 1996 and third-place in 1997. During Ely's 3 years as a starter, Thornton Township posted a combined record of 93 wins and 4 losses, including marks of 32–1 in 1997, 31–1 in 1996 and 30–2 in 1995.[1] 3 of those losses were to eventual IHSA 2A champions Peoria Manual.

In 2007, Ely was voted one of the "100 Legends of the IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament", recognizing his superior performance in his appearances in the tournament.[2]

College career

[edit]

Under the guidance of coach Jerry Tarkanian at Fresno State, Ely led the Bulldogs to two NCAA tournament appearances in 2000 and 2001. He also won the WAC Player of the Year award in two consecutive seasons in 2001 and 2002.

Professional career

[edit]

After two seasons in Los Angeles with limited playing time, Ely was traded by the Clippers along with teammate Eddie House on July 14, 2004, to the Charlotte Bobcats for two second-round draft picks in 2005 and 2006. During the 2004–05 and 2005–06 seasons, Ely rejuvenated his career as a prominent reserve role player. On October 2, 2006, he rejected offers from the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns to sign a one-year, $3 million contract to remain with the Bobcats.[3]

On February 13, 2007, he was traded to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for forward Eric Williams and a second-round draft pick in 2009.[4] He played only 6 games for the Spurs, averaging 3.2 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. He did not play for the Spurs in the playoffs yet he still won the championship ring.

In the 2007 off-season, Ely signed with the New Orleans Hornets.[5] It was formally announced on September 12 that it was a two-year contract.[6]

In 2012, Ely signed with the Brujos de Guayama of Puerto Rico.[7]

On October 27, 2012, Ely signed with the Dallas Mavericks along with guard Chris Douglas-Roberts.[8] He and Douglas-Roberts were waived the next day.[9] On November 1, 2012, he was acquired by the Texas Legends of the NBA D-League.[10]

In September 2013, Ely signed with the Memphis Grizzlies.[11] However, he was waived on October 26.[12]

In November 2013, he was re-acquired by the Texas Legends.[13] On February 3, 2014, Ely was named to the Prospects All-Star roster for the 2014 NBA D-League All-Star Game.[14] On April 14, 2014, he signed with the New Orleans Pelicans for the rest of the season.[15]

Ely's final NBA game was April 16, 2014 in a 105 - 100 win over the Houston Rockets where he recorded 4 points and 1 block.

On July 15, 2014, he was traded to the Washington Wizards.[16] On July 30, 2014, he was waived by the Wizards.[17][18]

In September 2014, Ely signed a one-year deal with the Gunma Crane Thunders of the Japanese bj league.[19]

On November 2, 2017, Ely was Inducted in to the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame with some of his 2005 Fresno State teammates in attendance.

Coaching career

[edit]

On August 23, 2015, Ely was hired to join Martin Knezevic's staff in the newly-formed AmeriLeague in Las Vegas (league folded prior to the season).[20]

On September 27, 2016, he was hired by the Canton Charge to serve as an assistant coach.[21]

NBA career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
 †  Won an NBA championship

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2002–03 L.A. Clippers 52 7 15.4 .495 .000 .703 3.3 .3 .2 .6 4.5
2003–04 L.A. Clippers 42 2 12.1 .431 .000 .595 2.4 .5 .2 .4 3.7
2004–05 Charlotte 79 17 20.9 .432 .000 .575 4.1 1.0 .4 .9 7.3
2005–06 Charlotte 57 22 23.6 .508 .000 .667 4.9 1.3 .5 .8 9.8
2006–07 Charlotte 24 0 10.2 .383 .000 .686 1.6 .6 .1 .3 2.9
2006–07† San Antonio 6 0 10.8 .300 .000 .583 2.3 .7 .7 .3 3.2
2007–08 New Orleans 52 1 11.9 .472 .000 .552 2.8 .4 .1 .3 3.9
2008–09 New Orleans 31 4 12.0 .389 .000 .639 2.1 .6 .1 .3 3.1
2010–11 Denver 30 2 12.2 .549 .000 .619 2.5 .5 .1 .4 2.3
2013–14 New Orleans 2 0 13.5 .500 .000 .000 .5 .0 .0 .5 3.0
Career 375 55 16.0 .460 .000 .625 3.2 .7 .3 .6 5.3

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2008 New Orleans 7 0 8.4 .267 .000 .700 1.6 .1 .0 .0 2.1
Career 7 0 8.4 .267 .000 .700 1.6 .1 .0 .0 2.1

References

[edit]
  1. ^ IHSA Record Book
  2. ^ IHSA – Legends of Boys Basketball
  3. ^ ESPN – Ely signs one-year, $3 million offer with Bobcats – NBA
  4. ^ "Spurs Acquire Melvin Ely". NBA.com. February 13, 2007. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  5. ^ Report: Hornets sign free agent Ely to contract, September 13, 2007
  6. ^ Hornets hoping Ely can deliver on potential, add depth, September 13, 2007
  7. ^ Melvin Ely joins Brujos de Guayama
  8. ^ "Dallas Mavericks sign Chris Douglas-Roberts and Melvin Ely". Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  9. ^ "Dallas Mavericks waive Chris Douglas-Roberts and Melvin Ely". Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  10. ^ Full List of 2012 Returning, Affiliate and Local Tryout Players Invited to NBA D-League Training Camps Archived December 18, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ Grizzlies Sign Byars, Ely, Gaffney
  12. ^ "Memphis Grizzlies waive Andre Barrett, Melvin Ely, Tony Gaffney and Willie Reed". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  13. ^ Legends Complete Three Trades, Finalize Training Camp Roster Archived November 9, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ Eighth Annual NBA D-League All-Star Game Features 16 Players With NBA Experience Archived February 7, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ "PELICANS SIGN ELY". NBA.com. April 14, 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  16. ^ Wizards Complete Three-Team Trade
  17. ^ Wizards waive Melvin Ely
  18. ^ Wizards waive Melvin Ely
  19. ^ Melvin Ely Signs With Japanese Team
  20. ^ "Melvin Ely Rumors".
  21. ^ "Cavaliers Announce Coaching Staff for Cavs and Canton Charge". NBA.com. September 27, 2016. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
[edit]
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