You had to feel good for Melvin Ely, a Harvey native whom the Los Angeles Clippers took with the No. 12 pick in Wednesday night’s NBA draft.
The 6-foot-10-inch Ely, from south suburban Thornton High School, was ineligible to play basketball as a Fresno State freshman because he didn’t qualify academically. He couldn’t receive a scholarship, so he worked in a group home to pay tuition. He took a loan to buy books. He still doesn’t own a car or wear jewelry.
“It all worked out,” said Ely, who at 24 was the oldest player selected in the draft after five years in college. “My mother [Melvina, whom Melvin was named for] works in a steel mill now and that’s no place for a woman to work. My older brother tried [to get her out], but fell short. Now my mother won’t have to work anymore.
“You’re talking to someone who doesn’t have a car and doesn’t wear jewelry. My priorities in life are my son [19-month-old Melvin Jr.] and my family. They come before me.”
While Ely was drafted as high as he expected, Illinois guard Frank Williams was not. After passing up the chance to be a lottery pick a year ago, Williams lasted until the 25th pick, when he was chosen by Denver and traded to the New York Knicks. His Illinois teammate, forward Robert Archibald, went to Memphis on the third pick of the second round.
Notre Dame forward Ryan Humphrey was chosen in the 19th slot by Utah and traded to the Orlando Magic.
Ely will join his Chicago-area high school buddies Corey Maggette and Quentin Richardson and Downstater Darius Miles.
“I love those guys,” Ely said. “I grew up with them playing AAU ball.”
The Clippers already have an established power forward in former Bull Elton Brand.
“I know Elton is a great player and I don’t want to cause any waves,” Ely said. “I want to go in there and give [Elton] help and support.”
Ely said he owes a debt of gratitude to his college coach, Jerry Tarkanian.
“If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here,” Ely said. “I thought I’d just end up being a nice college player and go get a job. Coach is the greatest because he pushes you to expect the best in every facet of the game.
“And he told me, `Whatever you do, get your mother out of Harvey.’
“Now she can live wherever she wants,” Ely said with a laugh. “But not Beverly Hills. I’ve been out there and it’s expensive. I’ve got to keep her off Rodeo Drive.”
Williams watched the draft in Peoria with family and friends, including Illini assistant Wayne McClain, who coached Williams at Peoria Manual High.
“When he was drafted, he was probably more emotional than I have ever seen him,” McClain said. “I don’t blame him. The main thing is, everyone is glad it’s over with and now he can start becoming the player everyone knows he is.”
Williams’ stock dropped following an inconsistent junior season. He averaged 16.2 points and 4.4 assists and led Illinois to a four-way share of the Big Ten title and a berth in the NCAA Sweet 16 but was criticized for what some saw as uninspired leadership, questionable decision-making, subpar shooting and a lack of quickness.
In New York, Williams will join a crowded backcourt, where he will have to beat out two veterans with long-term contracts. The Knicks need a starter to replace Marc Jackson, who was traded. Williams will be given a chance to beat out both Charlie Ward and Howard Eisley, neither of whom has performed that well. The downside is that Ward is signed through 2005-2006 and Eisley is under contract through 2007.
The 6-8 Humphrey improved his draft status at the Chicago predraft camp and worked out for 19 teams.
“I tried to fool people,” he said. “People say I can’t do this or can’t do that. The only thing [I do] is play hard. I went into the process with a chip on my shoulder. Everybody told me what I couldn’t do. I never doubted what I could do.”
