#Hang5atHilton

[roundball]

When this was first tossed about last season - I'll admit I was against it as well.

Then after checking into it, he is listed in all-time record lists all over the place. 4 year player - much of that as a starter. One of our very few All-American and conference POY players, academic everything year in and year out. Not sure he even got in trouble for crossing against the light. Just a great kid and one hell of a basketball player.

So the only thing I see as working against Melvin is that he's Canadian.

Seriously - I think the only thing is he didn't come in with the hype of a Marcus or Fred. That's about it.

I think this is precisely one of the reasons that Ejim is so special. No, he didn't come here and start tearing it up immediately like Niang or Fizer...but he busted his *** for four years and improved so much that he was named Big 12 Player of the Year over the #1, #3, and #6 picks in the NBA draft. That's absolutely incredible.

 

[CyTwins]

Carmelo Anthony paid for a building to be built at Syracuse which preceded his number being retired.

If that's why he got his jersey retired that's pretty stupid.

 

[chuckd4735]

I agree that having it as an absolute requirement is ridiculous (I don't think it is a requirement, though), but I completely support it being a factor. Being a student-athlete is about more than just being good at a sport, and every single athletic department likely has something in their mission statement about academic achievement.

Sure it should be a factor. For example, if Ejim left after his junior year, I don't think his number should be retired. If Royce White would be an NBA MVP, I wouldn't think his number should be retired. However, Fizer was here for 3 years, and he accomplished more in 3 years then most of the people who were here for 4 have. Its not like Fizer was a one and done. The guy earned his keep, and he put up some extremely impressive numbers during his time. He should not be ignored because he left one year early.

 

[hoiballin33]

Obligatory request to post video of Fizer dunk on Mihm.

 

[roundball]

If that's why he got his jersey retired that's pretty stupid.

Leading them to their only national championship had a lot to do with it, too...

 

[roundball]

Obligatory request to post video of Fizer dunk on Mihm.

There are few players I hated more than Chris Mihm...the guy seemed to be at Texas for like 12 years.

 

[RubyClone]

Obligatory request to post video of Fizer dunk on Mihm.

[video=youtube_share;6FpqhYnAR6E]http://youtu.be/6FpqhYnAR6E[/video]

 

[HFCS]

The people who don't want to hang Fizer's jersey...basically because he wasn't Melvin Ejim.
The people who don't want to hang Ejim's jersey...basically because he wasn't Marcus Fizer.

If you don't support either, then in the modern era you're just saying no Cyclone can ever have his jersey in the rafters. There's not going to be another player who is a top 5 NBA pick who plays 4 years, it just doesn't work that way. Fizer bucked the trend when he came back for a third season...a choice that led to our best season and a choice that should earn him his jersey being retired in my opinion.

Someone else posted Durant getting his jersey retired. He's certainly a talented pro and probably one of the best offensive players of all time. But here are Cyclones that had a similar contribution in 1, 2, or 3 seasons for Iowa State and led their team to win more conference championships, tournaments and/or NCAA games:

DeAndre Kane - one year had almost similar accolades, team won more achievements with him as a leader
Marcus Fizer - comparable individual accolades, won a whole lot more
Jamal Tinsley - comparable individual accolades, won a whole lot more

 

[bringmagicback]

Ejim would be the worst player up there iMo. Fizer was 100x the player as ejim

 

[GTO]

#rashadvaughn

 

[HFCS]

Ejim would be the worst player up there iMo. Fizer was 100x the player as ejim

Fizer did ISU a gigantic favor by turning down being drafted 10-20 to come back to ISU for a third season.

No eventual top 5 draft pick is ever going to stay 4 years anymore. Many on the board don't think any player should ever have a # retired because they want a Fizer-dominant player who stays 4 years and is also an A student. There are probably 2 of those a decade now in all of college basketball.

 

[GTO]

#adamhaluska

 

[bigdaddykane]

If that's why he got his jersey retired that's pretty stupid.

He also won a national championship

 

[CyTwins]

Leading them to their only national championship had a lot to do with it, too...

Fizer was the best player on the best ISU team we've ever had and was a first team all American. I don't care if he didn't go to class his entire junior year he deserves to have his jersey hung more than anyone else who isn't already up there

 

[RubyClone]

Ejim would be the worst player up there iMo. Fizer was 100x the player as ejim

Interesting. Marcus is one of my favorite all time players. LOVED his attitude. But I'm not sure I'd make such a bold statement. That'd be a pretty good matchup IMO.

 

[bigdaddykane]

Ejim would be the worst player up there iMo. Fizer was 100x the player as ejim

12th in scoring 2nd in rebounds

 

[CyTwins]

12th in scoring 2nd in rebounds

That doesn't make him a better player than Fizer was.

 

[ImJustKCClone]

He didn't say hang his jersey...

Fair point!

 

[stateofmind]

We have to save room for the 9 McD All-Americans that we will have on each year's future rosters. I'm looking at you Kentucky.

 

[bringmagicback]

Interesting. Marcus is one of my favorite all time players. LOVED his attitude. But I'm not sure I'd make such a bold statement. That'd be a pretty good matchup IMO.

Fizer would wad ejim up in a ball and throw him off the court. The two are on different levels. This is. Not a debate.