Completed Event: Men's Basketball versus Creighton (Exhibition) on October 18, 2026 , Loss , 80, to, 83
Iowa State University Athletics
Photo by: KL6PHOTO LLC.
11.04.2026 | Men's Basketball
AMES, Iowa – Iowa State Athletics announced today that the department will unveil a banner featuring Melvin Ejim's retired No. 3 jersey, Saturday, Feb. 27th at halftime of the Iowa State-TCU men's basketball game.
Ejim, the 2014 Big 12 Player of the Year and 2024 Iowa State University Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, was a three-time All-Big 12 selection from 2011-14. The tenacious power forward (6-6, 230) who could score (1,643 points) and rebound (1,051 boards), became just the third player in school history to record over 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in a career.
"I had a special four years in Ames," Ejim said. "We accomplished so much as a team. We worked hard to put Iowa State basketball on the map, and we are starting to see the fruits of our labor we put in to set the foundation for the program. I'm thrilled to see all the success they have had with T.J. (Otzelberger). I am so honored to have my jersey retired. As an athlete, you always want to be recognized for the work you have put in. I took pride in representing Iowa State in a first class manner, and to be recognized with the other incredible Cyclones in the rafters is amazing."
"The character and work habits that Melvin showed while a Cyclone helped transcend our program after he left," said ISU Head Coach T.J. Otzelberger, who recruited Ejim to Ames and coached him as an assistant. "When he came in, he drew the line in the sand and said, 'we're going to start winning' and he did just that. Melvin is a great ambassador for our program, campus and community and I'm thrilled he's being honored with his jersey in the rafters."
Ejim's senior season in 2013-14 ranks as one of the most decorated in school history as the Cyclone star won the following awards: first-team All-American, first-team CoSIDA Academic All-American, Big 12 Player of the Year, first-team All-Big 12, Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Iowa State Male Athlete of the Year and was a Big 12 All-Tournament Team selection.
A highlight of the year was Ejim's Big 12-record 48 point outburst against TCU, the second-best single-game scoring performance in school history and the most-ever by a Cyclone against a league opponent.
A current member of Forca Lleide in the Liga ACB Spanish League, Ejim has established an outstanding professional career in Europe since leaving ISU. In 2017, Ejim helped Reyer Venezia Mestre win the Italian League championship while earning Finals MVP honors.
Ejim has also been an active member of Canada's National Team since 2013, competing in many FIBA tournaments with Team Canada. Ejim helped Canada place third in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, defeating the United States in the third-place game. He was also selected as a member of Canada's 2024 Olympic Men's Basketball Team.
Ejim joins seven other Cyclone greats who have had their jerseys retired: Waldo Wegner (#14), Gary Thompson (#20), Zaid Abdul-Aziz (#35), Jeff Hornacek (#14), Jeff Grayer (#44), Fred Hoiberg (#32) and Barry Stevens (#35).
In order to be considered for jersey retirement honor, an ISU student-athlete must have graduated, been inducted into the school's athletics hall of fame and earned a significant national or conference honor during their playing career.
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