Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State's Biggest Dunker -- Melvin Ely
2/28/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Fresno State's Biggest Dunker
by Chris Ramos
The dunk shot has been arguably the most exciting play in basketball throughout the years. The slam dunk, as it is often called, mixes grace with power while a player is in flight. Some dunks call for creativity, while others are an improvisation in that short moment in time. While it counts for two points, the dunk has more implications on a game than the score at the time. For Fresno State senior Melvin Ely the slam dunk has been a major weapon in his arsenal that he's used time and again to lift the Bulldogs on his shoulders and get the team going again.
"It excites the fans and your team. It can break a bad run and change the momentum. Not everybody can do it, that's why it's such an important shot," explains Ely.
The two-handed power slam, the reverse dunk and the one-handed tomahawk are just a few in Ely's arsenal. Some are done alone on a breakaway while other times there is a member of the opposing team waiting to be posterized. When an opponent is "posterized", it means the dunk was so spectacular that he will be included in the poster that will be made afterwards.
Ely's dunking roots can be traced back to his middle school years. The first dunk for most basketball players is not easily forgotten and this is no different for the Harvey, Ill., native. Ely was involved in a student/faculty game in middle school when he was in the eighth grade. On one play Ely goes up for a shot and so does the vice principal, who is playing for the faculty team, to stop him. When the smoke cleared, Ely had thrown down his first slam dunk while the vice principal had a sore ego from getting dunked on. It would mark the beginning of many to come for the 6'10 center and reigning WAC Player of the Year.
"I will always remember that play. I was laughing at my vice-principal and he started getting a little upset. I thought he was going to give me detention or something," recalls Ely.
Ely has served up enough facials throughout his basketball career to start his own spa. Some of the top schools that have been victims of the Melvin Slam, are the likes of Michigan State, USC, Oklahoma State, North Carolina State and Cal. The Melvin Slam is a two-handed dunk that is intended to bring down the hoop along with the backboard.
"If I'm on a breakaway, that's my favorite dunk to throw down. It always pumps me up and I like to go with the power instead of finesse. I always see if I can break the backboard, but it hasn't happened yet" describes Ely.
Dunking on another player shows the power aspect of a dunk, while a breakaway can bring out the creativity in the player, but improvisation always leads to the unexpected highlight dunk.
Earlier this season against Rice, Ely found himself on the end of an exciting dunk that was created on the spot. Several Owl and Fresno State players were battling for a loose ball on the right wing. When two players tried to pick it up, the ball bounced to Ely, who was under the basket. Seeing that two players were rapidly approaching, Ely had no time to turn around, face the basket and lay it in. The result was a reverse two-handed dunk from a standing position. The play excited the sellout crowd at Selland Arena and gave the Bulldogs momentum.
Seeing something that's not there is a basketball quality that makes No. 33 one of the most electrifying players in the college ranks. The ability to anticipate what will happen next makes for another type of dunk that emphasizes the power, which Ely brings to his array of slams. The offensive put-back is a big man's dream. For one second, everybody is motionless, watching as one player soars over the group to throw one down.
The put-back slam not only requires great anticipation off a miss, but also a little luck. A player has to know where the missed shot will go and hope he is at the right place to jump while everybody else is still waiting for the rebound.
"It's definitely the best way to dunk with power. It's always been my favorite dunk and I always look for it," said Ely.
As Ely awaits greener pastures at the next level, we can expect the slam dunks to also go along with him. With more plays to come and higher level of competition that is waiting, there will be new selection of dunks that will be improvised. For now, however, Ely will continue his reign as Fresno State's most dynamic, dunking big man as he closes out one of the best careers in Bulldog basketball history.
