DENVER, COLO. (Feb. 7) - Fresno State center Melvin Ely has been named the Western Athletic Conference men's basketball player of the week.
Ely, a junior from Harvey, Ill. (Thornton Township), hit 18 of his 22 field goal attempts (.818) and scored 39 points, grabbed 21 rebounds and blocked 11 shots in a couple of wins for the Bulldogs last week. At San Jose State, he made all 10 of his shots from the field, was 2-of-2 from the free throw line, had eight rebounds and blocked five shots in the 82-76 overtime win. Two nights later at Hawai`i, he notched his fifth double-double of the season with 17 points and 13 rebounds in Fresno State's come-from-behind 85-77 victory. He also blocked six shots in the game. At one point, Ely had a stretch of 16 consecutive field goals made over a three-game stretch. He made his last four attempts versus Tulsa on Jan. 29, then all 10 at San Jose State and his first two against Hawai`i.
Other nominations included: senior forward/center Marquette Alexander, Hawai`i; junior forward Billy Landram, San Jose State; and senior forward Eric Coley, Tulsa.