Melvin Ely
Encyclopedia
Melvin Anderson Ely is an American
professional basketball
player who last played in the NBA for the Denver Nuggets
.
A 6'10", 255 lb (115.7 kg), 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
.
, Ely earned All-American honors from McDonald's
and Parade. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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 offseason, Ely signed with the New Orleans Hornets. It was formally announced on September 12 that it was a two-year contract.
| align="left" | 2002–03
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 52 || 7 || 15.4 || .495 || .000 || .703 || 3.3 || .3 || .2 || .6 || 4.5
|-
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 42 || 2 || 12.1 || .431 || .000 || .595 || 2.4 || .5 || .2 || .4 || 3.7
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Charlotte
| 79 || 17 || 20.9 || .432 || .000 || .575 || 4.1 || 1.0 || .4 || .9 || 7.3
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Charlotte
| 57 || 22 || 23.6 || .508 || .000 || .667 || 4.9 || 1.3 || .5 || .8 || 9.8
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Charlotte
San Antonio
| 24
6 || 0
0 || 10.2
10.8 || .383
.300 || .000
.000 || .686
.583 || 1.6
2.3 || .6
.7 || .1
.7 || .2
.3 || 2.9
3.2
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | New Orleans
| 52 || 1 || 11.9 || .472 || .000 || .552 || 2.8 || .4 || .1 || .3 || 3.9
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | New Orleans
| 31 || 4 || 12.0 || .389 || .000 || .639 || 2.1 || .6 || .1 || .3 || 3.1
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
| align="left" | Denver
| 30 || 2 || 12.2 || .549 || .000 || .619 || 2.5 || .5 || .1 || .4 || 2.3
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 373 || 55 || 16.0 || .460 || .000 || .625 || 3.3 || .7 || .3 || .6 || 5.3
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | New Orleans
| 7 || 0 || 8.4 || .267 || .000 || .700 || 1.6 || .1 || .0 || .0 || 2.1
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 7 || 0 || 8.4 || .267 || .000 || .700 || 1.6 || .1 || .0 || .0 || 2.1
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player who last played in the NBA for the Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
.
A 6'10", 255 lb (115.7 kg), forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
-center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
from Fresno State
California State University, Fresno
California State University, Fresno, often referred to as Fresno State University and synonymously known in athletics as Fresno State , is one of the leading campuses of the California State University system, located at the northeast edge of Fresno, California, USA.The campus sits at the foot of...
, Ely was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
in the first round (12th overall pick) of the 2002 NBA Draft
2002 NBA Draft
The 2002 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2002 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting 57 amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from non-North...
. At Fresno State, he enjoyed a prolific career under the coaching of Jerry Tarkanian
Jerry Tarkanian
Jerry Tarkanian , also known as "Tark the Shark", is a retired college basketball coach known as one of the winningest coaches in college basketball history...
.
High School
While attending Harvey Thornton High SchoolThornton Township High School
Thornton Township High School, often simply referred to as Thornton is a public high school founded in 1899. The school is located in Harvey, Illinois one of the south suburbs of the city of Chicago, Illinois. The school is one of three schools administered by Thornton Township High Schools...
, Ely earned All-American honors from McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
and Parade. 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
Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
player of the year and first team all-state
Illinois High School Association
The Illinois High School Association is one of 521 state high school associations in the United States, designed to regulate competition in most interscholastic sports and some interscholastic activities at the high school level. It is a charter member of the National Federation of State High...
. 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.
In 2007, Ely was voted one of the "100 Legends of the IHSA
Illinois High School Association
The Illinois High School Association is one of 521 state high school associations in the United States, designed to regulate competition in most interscholastic sports and some interscholastic activities at the high school level. It is a charter member of the National Federation of State High...
Boys Basketball Tournament," recognizing his superior performance in his appearances in the tournament.
College
Under the guidance of coach Jerry TarkanianJerry Tarkanian
Jerry Tarkanian , also known as "Tark the Shark", is a retired college basketball coach known as one of the winningest coaches in college basketball history...
at Fresno State
California State University, Fresno
California State University, Fresno, often referred to as Fresno State University and synonymously known in athletics as Fresno State , is one of the leading campuses of the California State University system, located at the northeast edge of Fresno, California, USA.The campus sits at the foot of...
, Ely led the Bulldogs to two NCAA tournament appearances in 2000 and 2001. He also won the WAC
Western Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
Player of the Year award in two consecutive seasons in 2001 and 2002.
Professional career
After two seasons in Los Angeles with limited playing time, Ely was traded by the Clippers along with teammate Eddie HouseEddie House
Edward L. House II , commonly referred to as Eddie House, is an American professional basketball player in the NBA for the Miami Heat.-Early life:...
on July 14, 2004 to the Charlotte Bobcats
Charlotte Bobcats
The Charlotte Bobcats is a professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association. The Bobcats were established in 2004 as an expansion team, two seasons after Charlotte's previous NBA...
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
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
and Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
to sign a one-year, $3 million contract to remain with the Bobcats.
On February 13, 2007, he was traded to the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
in exchange for forward Eric Williams and a second-round draft pick in 2009. 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 offseason, Ely signed with the New Orleans Hornets. It was formally announced on September 12 that it was a two-year contract.
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 2002–03
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
| 52 || 7 || 15.4 || .495 || .000 || .703 || 3.3 || .3 || .2 || .6 || 4.5
|-
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 42 || 2 || 12.1 || .431 || .000 || .595 || 2.4 || .5 || .2 || .4 || 3.7
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Charlotte
Charlotte Bobcats
The Charlotte Bobcats is a professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association. The Bobcats were established in 2004 as an expansion team, two seasons after Charlotte's previous NBA...
| 79 || 17 || 20.9 || .432 || .000 || .575 || 4.1 || 1.0 || .4 || .9 || 7.3
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Charlotte
| 57 || 22 || 23.6 || .508 || .000 || .667 || 4.9 || 1.3 || .5 || .8 || 9.8
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Charlotte
San Antonio
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
| 24
6 || 0
0 || 10.2
10.8 || .383
.300 || .000
.000 || .686
.583 || 1.6
2.3 || .6
.7 || .1
.7 || .2
.3 || 2.9
3.2
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | New Orleans
| 52 || 1 || 11.9 || .472 || .000 || .552 || 2.8 || .4 || .1 || .3 || 3.9
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
2008–09 NBA season
The 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...
| align="left" | New Orleans
| 31 || 4 || 12.0 || .389 || .000 || .639 || 2.1 || .6 || .1 || .3 || 3.1
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
2010–11 NBA season
The 2010–11 NBA season was the 65th season of the National Basketball Association . The 2011 NBA All-Star Game was played on February 20, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat in six games, 4 games to 2, to win their first NBA title, and...
| align="left" | Denver
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
| 30 || 2 || 12.2 || .549 || .000 || .619 || 2.5 || .5 || .1 || .4 || 2.3
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 373 || 55 || 16.0 || .460 || .000 || .625 || 3.3 || .7 || .3 || .6 || 5.3
Playoffs
|-| align="left" | 2007–08
2008 NBA Playoffs
The 2008 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2007–08 season which ended with the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics defeating the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers 4–2....
| align="left" | New Orleans
| 7 || 0 || 8.4 || .267 || .000 || .700 || 1.6 || .1 || .0 || .0 || 2.1
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 7 || 0 || 8.4 || .267 || .000 || .700 || 1.6 || .1 || .0 || .0 || 2.1