School and Year (1996-97)	Thornton HS, Illinois 
	Height and Weight		6'10  205lbs
	Position			Center 
	Ratings				#13 (PS), #19 (MR), #19 (TSN)
	Academically Eligible		no
	Status				Fresno State

Player Summary
     Melvin Ely is touted as the best center prospect in the state of
Illinois.  He is an aggressive shot-blocker, good rebounder, and has
a consistent shot around the basket.  Ely's limitations are no outside
shot, and a thin frame.  He needs to put on some weight to become a
force on the next level.  A greater limitation on Ely is his
academic status.  Some think he has no chance of making the grades or
scores to play in Division 1, and see him going straight to JUCO.  Ely
is athletic and runs the floor well for a big man.
	In the 1994-95 season, Ely (center) averaged 11.9 points and
8.1 rebounds for the season, shooting 64 percent from the field and
53 percent from the line.  Thornton finished 31-1, the team's only loss
coming in the state AA finals against Peoria Manual. He also averaged 6
blocks per game.  Ely was named first team all-state in Illinois.
	Although a likely JUCO candidate, if Ely qualifies Kentucky,
Illinois, Bradley, DePaul along with many others are in the hunt, with
Purdue and Wisconsin rumored to be leading.


Current Player News
11-9-96...Melvin Ely has verballed to Fresno State after a hard push 
over the past couple of months from Tark and company.  Now all Ely has to
do is qualify, and he will be the second top30 player Tark has gotten a
verbal from this fall (the other, Kenny Brunner).

	10-29-96...According to the Chicago Tribune, Ely has
narrowed his list to three schools including Fresno State, Ball
State and Missouri.  Reports from Missouri say the school has
stopped recruiting him due to academics.  He recently visited
Fresno State unofficially and met with Tark and reportedly came
just short of verballing during the visit.  An official announcement
is expected soon.

	9-3-96...The Chicago Tribune reported this weekend that
Melvin Ely has decided to return to Thornton HS in Illinois for his
senior season, contrary to reports he might move on to prep school
in North Carolina.

	8-08-96...The Basketball Times is reporting that Ely has
narrowed his list to four schools.  Although he is considering Missouri,
Fresno State, Alabama, and Ball State, the Cardinals may have an 
advantage.  Ball State coach Ray McCallum recruited Melvin's brother
Louis when he was an assistant at Wisconsin. "He's real close to my 
family," Ely said of McCallum. "He's a friend. It's a shame I can't
talk to him now because he's a coach, because I know he'll be hard on
me and push, but also be fair." 
  
	8-02-96...Melvin Ely has reportedly transferred down to
Mt. Zion Christian Academy down in Durham, North Carolina to focus on 
academics and try to avoid being a prop 48.  Mt. Zion now has six top 100 
seniors on the team, and one of the nations top juniors.

	7-16-96...Ely emerged from ABCD as the top center in attendance 
and rave reviews from recruiters.  Prep Stars listed him as the number
one big man, and Hoop Scoop called him and fellow Illinois player Marcus
Griffin "two of the best big men here".  Both players benefitted from
the added exposure primarily due to the fact that many of the high
profile big men in the country opted for the Nike Camp this year.
Other Illinois players that were impressive were 6'7 Sean Lampley from
St. Francis, 6'5 Brian Wardle of Hinsdale Central and 6'5 Mark Treadwell
of Fenwick.  
	Ely still has the "academic casualty" label put on him in almost
every mention.  Rumor has it that he will not make admissions into
Purdue, so a prop48 situation is unlikely.  Ely has hinted he would
consider the NBA if he didn't qualify.

	7-2-96...Melvin Ely is scheduled to attend the ABCD camp this
summer.


Single Game Statistics

DATE             FG FGA FT FTA 3PM 3PA RB A S B PTS
----------------------------------------------------
03-15-96          7  11  4   7   0   0  9 1 1 7  18  Won 51- Rock Isl. 34
03-16-96          6  16  1   5   0   0  9 2 2 7  13  Won 69- Westing.. 54
03-16-96          6   9  2   6   0   0  5 0 1 2  14  Lost 57- Manual 51
 

Season to Date Statistics

Season thru      PPG  FG%  FT%  3P%  RPG APG BPG  RECORD RANK
----------------------------------------------------------------
94-95 season    11.2                 5.0            ---   --
95-96 season    11.9 .636 .527 .000  8.1 1.1 6.0   31-1  #2 (IL)


Awards and Honors

95-96 season	Illinois First Team All-State