Ejim: Nigerian Team Update

[Dryburn]

Here is an article that was in the paper about what it took to get there. I didn't see it anywhere else on CF.....so....

Men’s Basketball: Passport issues nearly kept Ejim from Nigerian team tryout | Ames Tribune

 

[Cydkar]

Melvin needs to really develop a game as a 2 man and it sounds like he is. If wants to play in the NBA he can't play at 4 but if he can develop some game as a 2-3 man I would like to think he has a good chance.

I personally give him no chance to be an NBA player barring freakish improvement. That being said, this experience can only help him for his final 2 years at ISU.

 

[Rural]

I personally give him no chance to be an NBA player barring freakish improvement. That being said, this experience can only help him for his final 2 years at ISU.

He has the physicality of an NBA guy, just needs the hands of one.

 

[IASTATE4LIFE]

He has the physicality of an NBA guy, just needs the hands of one.

This.

Hopefully they can teach him how to catch.

 

[Cydkar]

He's just hands away from an NBA player?

 

[MNCyGuy]

Some roster notes I've found.

Ime Udoka - Portland State (Played 4 seasons in the NBA with significant minutes, top season at 8 ppg for Portland)
Michael Umeh - UNLV (8 ppg as a senior and played in the sweet 16)
Derrick Obasohan - University of Texas at Arlington (16 ppg as a senior)
Solomon Tat - Virginia (2 ppg in only 3 minutes per game as a senior)
Jayson Obazuaye - Colorado (7 ppg as a senior; went 4-4 against ISU; played in 1 NCAA tournament and 2 NIT tournaments)
Nedu Onyeuku - Illinois State (7 ppg as a senior; played JUCO for Iowa Western and was the conference player of the year)
Ike Ofoegbu - SMU (15 ppg and 8 rpg as a senior)
Ejike Ugboaja - Drafted by the Cavs in the 2nd round. Never played an NBA game and spent 2 years in the D-league.
Ezenwa Ukeagu - Washington State (5 ppg as a senior)
Olumide Oyedeji - Played 3 season in the NBA. (2 ppg and 2 rpg in his NBA career)
Aboubakar Usman & Stanley Gumut - Not sure who these guys are, but they didn't play college ball in America.

A lot of roll players in college and 1 experience NBA talent. ME can hopefully make the team as he has some better numbers than these guys at this point in his career. For reference, ME has 10 ppg and 6 rpg as a sophomore.

Anyone who has read Jim Yardley's excellent book "The Brave Dragons" will also know that Oydeji is a huge star in the Chinese Basketball Association.

 

[woodie]

if he gets into the olympics,maybe he can bring 1 or 2 teammates as walkons for coach fred hoiberg.
keep up the good work,mel!!!!!!!

 

[Cyclone06]

No doubt that he's a respectable player and has a lot of talent, but I just don't really see him taking a leadership role. He just doesn't seem to be the most vocal guy, on the court or otherwise. I would love to be proven wrong though

The best leaders lead by example. ME is a leader and I love the way he leads. He doesn't get the headlines, but he is a stud where it matters most.

 

[RustShack]

He's just hands away from an NBA player?

Hes not a one and done talent by any means. But I wouldn't be surprised at all if he developed into a decent NBA SF after he graduates here.

 

[Rhoadhoused]

Hes not a one and done talent by any means. But I wouldn't be surprised at all if he developed into a decent NBA SF after he graduates here.

Sorry but that isn't going to happen. Not to be a negative nancy or anything, but that is just out of his range. If Craig Brackins can't play in the NBA easily, Melvin Ejim won't get a sniff.

Ejim is a good hustle player and does a lot of things well. He isn't exceptional at anything, but he really adds a lot to our college team. The NBA, however, is a stretch.

 

[cy4prez7]

I think some of you are forgetting that Melvin still has two years to play. To say he has not chance at this point in his career is just ignorant.

 

[clone319]

I think some of you are forgetting that Melvin still has two years to play. To say he has not chance at this point in his career is an opinion.

FIFY, although I don't completely agree with it.

 

[cy4prez7]

FIFY, although I don't completely agree with it.

I still believe it's ignorant to say he has no chance. While it is an opinion, I feel it make more sense to say I don't think he will make it.

 

[Cyclonepride]

I think some of you are forgetting that Melvin still has two years to play. To say he has not chance at this point in his career is just ignorant.

Seems more likely for people who have followed basketball for a couple of decades to realize this. I grew up getting excited seeing the potential of freshman, watch them grow as sophomores, and turn into leaders and great players in their junior and senior years.

He needs to improve in several areas to get to the next level, but I think he can. He certainly shows the work ethic for it.

 

[Cydkar]

He won't be an NBA SF that's for sure.

 

[Rhoadhoused]

I still believe it's ignorant to say he has no chance. While it is an opinion, I feel it make more sense to say I don't think he will make it.

He has a 1% chance. There you go.

 

[cy4prez7]

Seems more likely for people who have followed basketball for a couple of decades to realize this. I grew up getting excited seeing the potential of freshman, watch them grow as sophomores, and turn into leaders and great players in their junior and senior years.

He needs to improve in several areas to get to the next level, but I think he can. He certainly shows the work ethic for it.

Exactly, I'm not saying he will make it, I just think it's unfair to say he has no chance. That's a lot of time left to develop though.

 

[RustShack]

Sorry but that isn't going to happen. Not to be a negative nancy or anything, but that is just out of his range. If Craig Brackins can't play in the NBA easily, Melvin Ejim won't get a sniff.

Ejim is a good hustle player and does a lot of things well. He isn't exceptional at anything, but he really adds a lot to our college team. The NBA, however, is a stretch.

So hes maxed out and can't improve in any area over the next two years? :twitcy:

 

[Rhoadhoused]

So hes maxed out and can't improve in any area over the next two years? :twitcy:

Yes. Exactly. All he needs to do is improve a little bit and he will be an NBA superstar.

The NBA is tough to get into. Royce White will have his work cut out for him succeeding there. Brackins already has been struggling. (to clarify I think Royce will do well in the NBA)

Hell, being in college for 4 years is already a detriment to NBA teams wanting to pick you up.

I will give you this. If Ejim get's an insane amount of handle and jump shooting ability and goes Thomas Robinson on everybody's as**s, you can bookmark this page and make me eat a huge plate of crow. I'll be super happy about it too. Win win. I just don't think there is anywhere near a statistically significant chance that that happens.

 

[Cydkar]

.01% chance