Fresno State Athletics
Center of Attention
1/12/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 12, 2001
FRESNO, Calif. - On Saturday, Dec. 2, 2000, the Bulldogs took a tough loss on the road to San Francisco. With 14:26 left in the game and the Dons looking to take the lead, senior center Melvin Ely left the game with what appeared to be an ankle injury. With four rebounds and 11 points in the 22 minutes that he had played the `Dogs were going to miss him. The Bulldogs lost the game 90-89 in double overtime, but more of a concern was the possible loss of Ely.
Ely knows about playing with injuries. Despite a stress fracture in his shin, he led the Western Athletic Conference and ranked sixth in the NCAA in field goal percentage last season with .606 (180-207). He led the WAC and set a single-season school record with 92 blocked shots 16th best in the NCAA. He was on the 1999 and 2000 all-WAC Defensive team and the 2000 second-team All-WAC. This season, Ely has been selected the MVP of the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic and has more blocked shots (35) than Fresno State opponents combined (23).
The `Dogs would be heavily crippled without him. Just his statistics alone is a testament to that.
"I was a little worried," Ely said. "I just wanted the opportunity to step out onto that court and give everything I've got to help the team. I did not want to watch from the bench."
"I had confidence that he could overcome it," head coach Jerry Tarkanian said. "I watched him work and I knew that he could beat it. I was always optimistic about him playing in the Santa Clara game and every other one after it."
And that he has.
Ely has started in every game this season, before and after the injury. Ely has played an average of 28 minutes a game and has a field goal shooting percentage of .516. Already on pace to eclipse the 200 plateau in total rebounds for the third straight season, he has amassed more than 100 rebounds in the first 14 games of the season.
"When I first started playing here I was just an athlete," Ely said. "I feel that since then I have developed into a solid player physically. Mentally, I still have a lot to learn." During the 1998-1999 season, the 6-10 communications major from Harvey, Ill., put up solid numbers. He started in every game he played in, sitting out only once due to illness. In 32 contests he averaged 11.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and an impressive 91 blocks. Ely rejected a career high eight shot attempts against UTEP last season and his three blocks against Wisconsin in the first round of the NCAA Tournament broke his own single-season block record with 92 set the previous year (91).
Ely came to Fresno State in the fall of 1997. He decided to sit out his freshman year to meet NCAA eligibility requirements and stayed focused on preparing for his sophomore year. In his junior year he was immediately pushed into a starting position. In his first collegiate game, Ely scored 26 points and grabbed 10 boards in 27 minutes. He proved that a he was a key part of last year's WAC champion team.
"Physically I've gone from 190 to 256 pounds," Ely said. "Now I'm much stronger and can play a significant part in the offense as a force in the post."
"Melvin is a great player," Tarkanian said. "He could be the best center in the country. He is very dominant at times. He had a good season last year but he played the whole year on one leg and couldn't jump. Now that he is over the sprain, it will be good to get him completely healthy. He is going to be our workhorse."
Ely's presence in the front court is extremely important to the team's success. Offensively there are many ways in which Ely can score. His ability to draw double teams will present outside opportunities for Demetrius Porter, Chris Jefferies and Travis DeManby to hit the three. On the defensive end, Ely will continue to cause havoc in the paint. His ability to alter shot attempts, discourage opponents from driving the lane and block shots that turn into easy transition buckets for his team.
"My jump hook and turn around jumper are much smoother and sharper," Ely said. "I have been able to add those types of moves to my game in the past year that should compliment the rest of my team."
Last season, a number of Ely's goals were met. The `Dogs got the WAC championship and an invitation to the big dance. That doesn't mean that just because it has been done he doesn't want to do it again. The Bulldogs are focused on being a better team this year than ever and taking another run at winning the WAC. Ely believes that as long as everyone plays to their ability and knows their role, things will fall into place and maybe even make their sixth consecutive postseason appearance.
