Melvin Ejim

Biography

Melvin Ejim was the oldest member of Canada’s historic bronze medal-winning team at the 2023 FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup. It was Canada’s first ever medal at the tournament. Ejim was among the players who committed to the national team in 2022 in the hopes of qualifying Canada for its first men’s Olympic basketball tournament since Sydney 2000. 

Ejim first played with the Senior Men’s National Team in 2015, helping Canada to a silver medal at the Pan Am Games in Toronto and a bronze medal at the FIBA Americas Championship. It was Canada’s first ever podium in men’s basketball at the Pan Am Games. 

Ejim played for Canada at the FIBA Americas World Cup Qualifiers in 2019 and 2022, helping secure the country’s spot at both global tournaments. He was also a member of the Canadian team at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Rio 2016 where the team lost to France in the final, falling one place shy of an Olympic berth. 

As the son of a Nigerian mother, Ejim’s first international experience came as a member of the Nigerian National Team in 2012. He first represented Canada at the 2013 World University Games, helping the team to a fourth-place finish. He was also part of Canada’s perfect 9-0 record at the Four Nations International Invitational Tournament in preparation for the World University Games.

In 2014, Ejim had one of the best seasons in school history in his senior year at Iowa State University. He led the Cyclones to the Big 12 Tournament title and to the Sweet Sixteen at the NCAA Tournament. He was named Big 12 Player of the Year and a finalist for the Oscar Robertson Trophy as the outstanding men’s NCAA basketball player. 

Following his collegiate career, Ejim signed with a pro team in Italy. He came back to North America as a member of the Orlando Magic organization and spent a season in the G League before returning to Europe. In 2017 he won the Italian League title and was named finals MVP with club Reyer Venezia. He was also named to the Champions League All-Star team. He made stops in Russia, Spain, Montenegro (winning the 2021 league title and Montenegrin Cup with Budućnost), and Slovenia (2022 Slovenian Cup with Olympia), before going back to Spain where he has played since. In 2024, his team Unicaja won the FIBA Champions League title.

A Little More About Melvin

Outside Interests: Graduated from Iowa State University in 2014, majoring in history… He is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi academic honours society… Odds and Ends: Sister Yvonne Ejim is a member of the Canadian women’s basketball team at Paris 2024…