Ejim's Improvement

[marothisu]

Ejim has improved so much between last year and this year. I wasn't a HUGE fan of him last year, but now I love the guy.

He played and worked out this summer with the Nigerian National Olympic basketball team. How much do you guys think that must have helped him?

 

[Die4Cy]

The only thing limiting Melvin at his position is his height. He's shown constant improvement since he arrived on campus, and that comes from determination, effort, smarts, and his natural quickness.

You cannot stop Melvin Ejim.

You can only hope to contain Melvin Ejim.

 

[VeloClone]

I heard that he was trying to make the Nigerian team as a guard. If that is true, all of the guard work (ball handling, passing, jump shot) reflects directly with the improvements in his game.

 

[Tre4ISU]

He needs to continue to work on his ball handling and penetrating along with shooting because I could very well see him playing a lot of the 3 next year. I think you could see a lineup of Morris/Thomas/Ejim/Niang/Armadi to start the season. Of course you can sub Bubu or SDW in any of those spots to but I think that if one of the JUCO post players can be an inside defensive presence, Fred would prefer that. We have to replace the rebounding of Will as well and I don't see Niang doing that. Maybe SDW or Thomas will be a good rebounder but I would like to see a big that can block/affect shots and rebound. If Melvin can score about 12-13 a game, I don't know that we will need a huge scoring presence inside.

 

[cyclone101]

He has improved SO much. I made a comment last year in a game thread saying I wish he would stop shooting the 3. I'm gonna use this opportunity to eat crow as he is shooting 35% this year from deep.

 

[CyFan61]

I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but if he continues the same level of improvement into his senior season, he has a legitimate shot at getting his number retired. Four year starter, brought the program back, (presumably) three straight NCAA tournaments, and a leader on and off the court. I would love to see it happen in the future. He has a shot at earning it.

 

[CtownCyclone]

He has improved SO much. I made a comment last year in a game thread saying I wish he would stop shooting the 3. I'm gonna use this opportunity to eat crow as he is shooting 35% this year from deep.

Last year he definitely shouldn't have shot the 3. This year, he's a legit threat outside, which drags defenders out to him and opens things up.

 

[MeanDean]

I remember a lot of complaining a couple years ago and even last year about his hands. He had awful hands, couldn't handle the ball, etc.

All that work and emphasis on ball handling has definitely paid dividends this year!

 

[cyatheart]

He really has done nothing but improve since he stepped on campus. Perfect example of the kind of guy we need. Smart, great represenative for the university, never in trouble, talented, plays hard, awesome player that just keeps getting better and he isn't anywhere near his peak yet.

 

[brokenloginagain]

I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but if he continues the same level of improvement into his senior season, he has a legitimate shot at getting his number retired. Four year starter, brought the program back, (presumably) three straight NCAA tournaments, and a leader on and off the court. I would love to see it happen in the future. He has a shot at earning it.

i think he would be only our 2nd 1000 pt scorer with 1000 rebounds in isu history.

 

[Tre4ISU]

i think he would be only our 2nd 1000 pt scorer with 1000 rebounds in isu history.

3rd I believe. I also think the scholar award he won should play into it.

 

[norcalcy]

Ejim has improved so much between last year and this year. I wasn't a HUGE fan of him last year, but now I love the guy.

He played and worked out this summer with the Nigerian National Olympic basketball team. How much do you guys think that must have helped him?

Sorry if this was posted in another thread. Nice write-up of Melvin as part of SI's Annual Glue Guys team

Hoop Thoughts: Gonzaga's Mike Hart leads 14th annual Glue Guys team - College Basketball - Seth Davis - SI.com

 

[Wesley]

Sorry if this was posted in another thread. Nice write-up of Melvin as part of SI's Annual Glue Guys team

Hoop Thoughts: Gonzaga's Mike Hart leads 14th annual Glue Guys team - College Basketball - Seth Davis - SI.com

Yeah, we might want to call Melvin "Elmer's."

 

[MIClone]

I've loved Ejim all along and the only major change in his game that I can see is much improved shooting on the perimeter. Certainly he has gradually improved each year, but he's always been good at rebounding and getting garbage buckets. And I supsect that he'll continue to gradually improve through next year (which means he should be 1st team All Big 12 next year).

 

[Snyder21]

I can't over emphasize enough how far his shot has come since last year. This is a prime example of how much Freddy can turn somebody's shot around

 

[Wesley]

I've loved Ejim all along and the only major change in his game that I can see is much improved shooting on the perimeter. Certainly he has gradually improved each year, but he's always been good at rebounding and getting garbage buckets. And I supsect that he'll continue to gradually improve through next year (which means he should be 1st team All Big 12 next year).

He shoots 51% overall with 36% threes and 70% throws. He averages three fouls a game.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Where's everyone who suggested that Melvin had hit his ceiling? He's improved his shot and his ability to put the ball on the floor. If he improves similarly between this year and next, first team isn't out of the question.

 

[jahfg]

Davis' article says Ejim isn't "overly athletic."

He isn't "overly coordinated," but he is definitely very athletic. His shot has improved and now he is starting to add that shot fake and drive. His ball-handling is so much better than it was even a year ago. I expect Melvin to be a first-team guy next season. If we could get 13-14 points instead of 10, it could go a long way. I've been an Ejim hater in the past, but he has completely flipped me.

 

[CyBri]

I agree completely. I really think we will be alright if Armadi can guard the rim and block/alter shots. Ejim has played out of position every year and next year he will be able to play where he should. Lucky for us he is so talented that he can play against any type of player and do well.

He needs to continue to work on his ball handling and penetrating along with shooting because I could very well see him playing a lot of the 3 next year. I think you could see a lineup of Morris/Thomas/Ejim/Niang/Armadi to start the season. Of course you can sub Bubu or SDW in any of those spots to but I think that if one of the JUCO post players can be an inside defensive presence, Fred would prefer that. We have to replace the rebounding of Will as well and I don't see Niang doing that. Maybe SDW or Thomas will be a good rebounder but I would like to see a big that can block/affect shots and rebound. If Melvin can score about 12-13 a game, I don't know that we will need a huge scoring presence inside.

 

[pulse]

I wasn't one of those people who thought Melvin was going to peak his freshman year and incessantly complained about it. So I'm not surprised he's gotten better as he's progressed. I'm going to go get myself a cookie now.