Melvin Ely

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

Melvin Ely

Canton Charge
Position	Assistant coach
League	NBA G League
Personal information
Born	May 2, 1978 Harvey, Illinois
Nationality	American
Listed height	6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight	261 lb (118 kg)
Career information
High school	Thornton Township (Harvey, Illinois)
College	Fresno State (1998–2002)
NBA draft	2002 / Round: 1 / Pick: 12th overall
Selected by the Los Angeles Clippers
Playing career	2002–2016
Position	Center / Power forward
Number	2, 33, 34, 4
Coaching career	2016–present
Career history
As player:
2002–2004	Los Angeles Clippers
2004–2007	Charlotte Bobcats
2007	San Antonio Spurs
2007–2009	New Orleans Hornets
2010–2011	Denver Nuggets
2012	Brujos de Guayama
2012–2014	Texas Legends
2014	New Orleans Pelicans
2014–2015	Gunma Crane Thunders
As coach:
2016–present	Canton Charge (assistant)
Career highlights and awards
NBA champion (2007) NBA D-League All-Star (2014) 2× WAC Player of the Year (2001, 2002) 2× First-team All-WAC (2001, 2002) First-team Parade All-American (1997)
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Medals Men's Basketball Representing  United States Summer Universiade 2001 Beijing Team competition

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

While attending Harvey Thornton High School, 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.[1]

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

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

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]

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

On September 27, 2016, Ely was hired by the Canton Charge to serve as an assistant coach.[20]

NBA career statistics

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

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

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

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. "Cavaliers Announce Coaching Staff for Cavs and Canton Charge". NBA.com. September 27, 2016. Retrieved November 21, 2016.

External links

• NBA.com Profile