Sep 04, 2002 10:11 PM EST

The Associated Press reports: The Los Angeles Clippers signed forward Melvin Ely, the 12th overall pick in the draft, to a contract Wednesday.

Under the NBA's rookie salary scale, Ely's salary will be about $4.1 million over the three years.

Ely averaged 23.3 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.1 blocks as a senior at Fresno State, where he finished his four-year career as the school's leading scorer and shot blocker.

The 6-foot-10, 260-pound Ely was the first college senior taken in the draft.

Last month, the Clippers signed their other first-round pick, forward Chris Wilcox of Maryland.

Via ESPN