| Position | Power forward-Center |
|---|---|
| League | NBA |
| Height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Weight | 255 lb (116 kg) |
| Team | New Orleans Hornets |
| Nationality | USA |
| Born | May 2 1978 Harvey, Illinois |
| High school | Thornton Township |
| College | Fresno State |
| Draft | 12th overall, 2002 Los Angeles Clippers |
| Pro career | 2002–present |
| Former teams | Los Angeles Clippers 2002-2004 Charlotte Bobcats 2004-2007 San Antonio Spurs 2007 |
Melvin Anderson Ely (born May 2, 1978 in Harvey, Illinois) is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Hornets of the NBA. A 6'10", 255 lbs, 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. 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 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, Ely rejected offers from the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns to sign a one-year, $3 million contract to remain with the Bobcats.[1] 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.[2] In the 2007 offseason, Ely signed with the New Orleans Hornets.[3] It was formally announced on September 12 that it was a two-year contract.[4]
College
Under the guidance of legendary 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.
References
External links
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| First Round Yao Ming • Jay Williams • Mike Dunleavy, Jr. • Drew Gooden • Nikoloz Tskitishvili • Dajuan Wagner • Maybyner "Nenê" Hilario • Chris Wilcox • Amare Stoudemire • Caron Butler • Jared Jeffries • Melvin Ely • Marcus Haislip • Fred Jones • Bostjan Nachbar • Jiri Welsch • Juan Dixon • Curtis Borchardt • Ryan Humphrey • Kareem Rush • Qyntel Woods • Casey Jacobsen • Tayshaun Prince • Nenad Krstić • Frank Williams • John Salmons • Chris Jefferies • Dan Dickau |
| Second Round Steve Logan • Roger Mason, Jr. • Robert Archibald • Vincent Yarbrough • Dan Gadzuric • Carlos Boozer • Miloš Vujanić • David Andersen • Tito Maddox • Rod Grizzard • Juan Carlos Navarro • Mario Kasun • Ronald Murray • Jason Jennings • Lonny Baxter • Sam Clancy • Matt Barnes • Jamal Sampson • Chris Owens • Peter Fehse • Darius Songaila • Federico Kammerichs • Marcus Taylor • Rasual Butler • Tamar Slay • Mladen Šekularac • Luis Scola • Randy Holcomb • Corsley Edwards |
