LeRon Ellis
Personal information | |
---|---|
Born | Los Angeles, California , U.S. | April 28, 1969
Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
Listed weight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
Career information | |
High school | |
College | |
NBA draft | 1991: 1st round, 22nd overall pick |
Selected by the Los Angeles Clippers | |
Playing career | 1991–2002 |
Position | Power forward |
Number | 22, 43, 28 |
Career history | |
1991–1992 | Los Angeles Clippers |
1992 | Grupo Libro Valladolid |
1992–1993 | Columbus Horizon |
1993 | Hyundai Desio |
1993–1994 | Charlotte Hornets |
1994–1995 | FC Barcelona |
1995 | Miami Heat |
1996 | Connecticut Skyhawks |
1996–1997 | Quad City Thunder |
1998–1999 | Mitsui Falcons |
2000–2001 | Quilmes de Mar del Plata |
2001–2002 | Beijing Olympians |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Stats at NBA.com | |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
LeRon Perry Ellis (born April 28, 1969) is an American former professional
Early life
LeRon Ellis was born to
LeRoy Ellis traversed the country with the NBA during the first eight years of LeRon's life. The Ellises eventually relocated to
High school career
LeRon Ellis began his athletic accomplishments at an early age. He helped lead the Parkrose High School boys' basketball team to the Oregon state semi-finals during his freshman year.[3] Ellis was also selected as part of the 1984 Oregon Boys' High School Water Polo All-Tourney Second Team and his school's water polo team placed third in the Oregon state water polo championship tournament.[4] LeRon Ellis left behind his feats in Portland after two years with Parkrose High for a new start in Southern California. Ellis moved back to California with his father and the two settled in Orange County, where he caught the eye of Gary McKnight, the boys' basketball coach for the nearby Mater Dei High School.[6]
Ellis excelled with the
During the 1986 summer off-season Ellis received a number of recruitment offers from the nation's top
LeRon Ellis began the season helping his team make it to the 1986 King Cotton Tournament finals.[9] The Monarchs went on to play what would become one of their most fabled basketball seasons in the school's history. Ellis and company replicated their previous 30–1 record during the 19867–87 season and bagged their third straight CIF Southern Section 5-A title.[10] Mater Dei proceeded to the state CIF State Championship tournament, ousting the top-ranked Fairfax High School in the semi-finals.[11] The Monarchs completed their memorable season in style by defeating Ygnacio Valley High School in the finals and clinching the school's first CIF Division I state title. LeRon Ellis won a series of prestigious awards that season while averaging 22.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and a 54% field goal shooting percentage.[12][13] By the end of the season LeRon Ellis was considered to be one of the country's top high school basketball players and the Mater Dei basketball team was ranked number one in the nation by USA Today.[10][14]
LeRon Ellis also displayed outstanding athletic skills off the basketball court while at Mater Dei. He returned to water polo during his senior year and led the team in scoring.
College career
University of Kentucky
Ellis spent the summer of 1987 playing in the U.S. Olympic Festival basketball games for the West team before entering the NCAA..
LeRon Ellis made local headlines at the start of his sophomore year when he became the first
Ellis led Kentucky in points that season while starting in the power forward and center positions. The talented sophomore would experience his best offensive season in his entire collegiate career, averaging a career high of 16 points per game and a 51.9% field goal percentage, including noteworthy defensive numbers with 5.5 rebounds per game as well as 1.1 blocks per game.[26] Ellis' best single game outing (and arguably the highlight of his Kentucky tenure) was his performance against Northwestern University where he set a career-high as a Wildcat with 37 points in one game while netting 14 of 17 field goals[27] The feat placed him in the record books then as the second most points scored by a Kentucky sophomore in a single game.[27] The Wildcats' star was honored for his outstanding performance at the University of Kentucky's annual awards banquet where he received the "Most Points" and "Most Sacrifice" awards.[28] However Ellis was not without his own shortcomings, being considered inconsistent on offense and weak on defense.[29] In the end, Ellis was unable to lift Kentucky out of their battered season that was marred by poor performances on the court and an ongoing NCAA investigation into the school's basketball program off the court. The Wildcats finished with a losing record of 13–19; as of 2017, this remains the school's only losing season since 1927.[23]
To add injury to insult, the NCAA announced at the end of the season that its investigation into the University of Kentucky's basketball program had found the school responsible of violating NCAA recruitment policies.
Professional basketball career
LeRon Ellis played his final two college seasons at Syracuse University. He was selected 22nd overall in the
Awards and achievements
- CIF Southern Section 5-A Tournament MVP (1986)[2]
- Los Angeles Times Player of the Week (March 10–16, 1986)[2]
- Cal-Hi Sports All-State Basketball Team (1986)[34]
- Street & Smith's Preseason All-American Second Team (1986)[35]
- King Cotton All-Tournament Team (1987)[9]
- Angelus League MVP (1987)[36]
- Dapper Dan Roundball Classic: U.S. West (1987)[37]
- CIF Southern Section 5-A Player of the Year (1987)[3]
- Gatorade Player of the Year: Pacific Region (1987)[38]
- Los Angeles Times' All-County Basketball Team (1987)[12]
- Orange County Register's All-County Team (1987)[39]
- Circle of Champions Pacific Regional Player of the Year (1987)[13]
- Hoop Scoop Senior Class of 1987 First Team[40]
- Los Angeles Times' Player of the Year (1987)[41]
- Basketball Weekly All-American Third Team (1987)[42]
- USA Today's All-USA High School Basketball Team (1987)[43]
- Parade Magazine All-American First Team (1987)
- McDonald's Derby Festival Classic (1987)[44]
- Cal-Hi Player of the Year (1987)[45]
- Orange County Athletic Directors Association Athlete of the Year (1987)[46]
- Amateur Athletic Foundation Top Prep Boy's Athlete (1987)[16]
- U.S. Olympic Festival West Team (1987)[17]
- R. William Jones Cup U.S. Team (1988)[47]
- The United Press International All-SEC Second Team (1989)[48]
References
- ^ a b c d Howard-Cooper, Scott (March 16, 1986). "Crenshaw Beats Mater Dei to Gain State Final, 59–57". Los Angeles Times. pp. C1, C15. Retrieved May 27, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Kresal, Steve (March 12, 1986). "Ellis Adjusts to His Role in Mater Dei's Tradition". Los Angeles Times. p. OC B7. Retrieved May 21, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Hamilton, Tom (September 16, 1986). "LeRon Ellis Passes Over USC, Announces That He'll Play Basketball at Kentucky". Los Angeles Times. p. C10. Retrieved May 21, 2008.
- ^ a b Tuleya, Ray J. "1984 Boys Oregon HS Water Polo Championship". Retrieved May 27, 2008.
- ^ a b DiGiovannia, Mike (November 27, 1985). "Bob Erbst: Katella's New Hero". Los Angeles Times. p. OC B7. Retrieved May 21, 2008.
- ^ Arellano, Gustavo (January 25, 2007). "McKnight Fall". Orange County Weekly. Retrieved May 29, 2008.
- ^ Kennedy, Mike (November 29, 1986). "Ocean View Should Have View From Top Despite Its Problems". Los Angeles Times. p. C33. Retrieved May 29, 2008.
- ^ Greenberg, Don (March 26, 1989). "Riley has three words to say to Kentucky job: No, no, no". Orange County Register. Orange County Register. p. C9.
- ^ a b DiGiovannia, Mike (January 4, 1987). "Mater Dei Loses to Nation's No.1 Team". Los Angeles Times. p. C1. Retrieved May 29, 2008.
- ^ a b Howard-Cooper, Scott (March 8, 1987). "Mater Dei Gains Third Straight Title". Los Angeles Times. p. C1. Retrieved May 28, 2008.
- ^ Hamilton, Tom (March 15, 1987). "Ellis Leads Mater Dei to Oakland No. 1 Fairfax Falls From Unbeaten Ranks in Regional Title Game". Los Angeles Times. p. C1. Retrieved May 28, 2008.
- ^ a b Hamilton, Tom (March 18, 1987). "THE TIMES' ALL-COUNTY BASKETBALL TEAM: Talented Cast Is Led by a Pair of Big Men Ready for Big Time". Los Angeles Times. p. C10. Retrieved May 31, 2008.
- ^ a b Osterman, David (March 19, 1987). "Ellis adds to a long honor roll". Orange County Register. Retrieved June 3, 2008.
- ^ DiGiovannia, Mike (March 4, 1987). "Brian Williams Fights His Battles Above the Rim Tall Tale to Unfold When St. Monica Meets Mater Dei in a 5-A Semifinal Tonight". Los Angeles Times. p. C8. Retrieved May 28, 2008.
- ^ Chadez, Don. "Orange County All-Time Boys' Track & Field Marks". Flash Results, Inc. Archived from the original on January 24, 2013. Retrieved May 27, 2008.
- ^ a b "Mater Dei's Ellis awarded top boys honor". Orange County Register. June 30, 1987. Retrieved June 9, 2008.
- ^ a b Norwood, Robyn (July 19, 1987). "Ellis Finds Festival Foe in His Future Coach Mater Dei Star Plays for West Basketball Team; Sutton Coaches South". Los Angeles Times. p. C15. Retrieved June 9, 2008.
- ^ Moffit, David (February 17, 1987). "Southern Sidelines". United Press International.
- ^ Abair, Chuck (March 24, 1988). "LeRon Ellis' future is now: Freshman from Mater Dei part of Kentucky's tradition". Orange County Register. Retrieved June 4, 2008.
- ^ Tipton, Jerry (February 1, 1988). "Ellis Jump-Starts Kentucky Past Irish 78–69: Freshman Scores 14 Points, Gets Five Steals in First Start". Lexington Herald-Leader. p. C1. Retrieved July 2, 2008.
- ^ Malloy, Brian (November 23, 1988). "Troubles At Kentucky Basketball Probe May Leave Kentucky Fried". United Press International.
- ^ a b Scott, Jon. "Statistics for 1987–88". bigbluehistory.net: Kentucky Wildcats Basketball Page. Retrieved July 2, 2008.
- ^ a b c Scott, Jon. "Kentucky Teams of the Past". bigbluehistory.net: Kentucky Wildcats Basketball Page. Retrieved July 3, 2008.
- ^ Gregory, Eric (September 9, 1988). "Frat Cat LeRon Ellis Becomes 1st Black to Pledge Kappa Alpha at UK". Lexington Herald-Leader. p. B1. Retrieved June 4, 2008.
- ^ a b Drum, Keith (November 16, 1988). "Commentary". United Press International.
- ^ Armstrong Jr., James C. "LeRon Ellis, Syracuse". SportsStats. Archived from the original on February 13, 2006. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
- ^ a b Tipton, Jerry (December 8, 1988). "Northwestern St. Shocks UK 85–82: Cats Lose Home Opener Despite 37 Points by Ellis". Lexington Herald-Leader. p. C1. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
- ^ "UK Basketball Players Get Awards". The Associated Press. Lexington Herald-Leader. April 22, 1989. p. D2. Retrieved July 8, 2008.
- ^ Wojciechowski, Gene (September 9, 1988). "Ellis Feels the Heat as Kentucky Goes Cold". Los Angeles Times. p. C7. Retrieved June 4, 2008.
- ^ Rhoden, William C. (May 20, 1989). "Kentucky's Basketball Program And 2 Players Heavily Penalized". The New York Times. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
- ^ Waters, Mike (May 23, 1989). "Ellis Won't Return to Kentucky". The Post-Standard. p. C1.
- ^ Ditota, Donna (June 4, 1989). "Ellis Completes 1st-Round Visit of Whirlwind Recruiting Tour". The Post-Standard. p. E3.
- ^ a b c Ramsey, David (September 13, 1989). "NCAA's Probe of Vegas Steered Ellis to SU". The Post-Standard. p. C1.
- ^ Hamilton, Tom (April 28, 1986). "Shriners Try to Corner Market for All-Star Football Game". Los Angeles Times. p. F14B. Retrieved May 27, 2008.
- ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (October 28, 1986). "No Place Like Home for Landress". Los Angeles Times. p. C10. Retrieved May 29, 2008.
- ^ "Ellis Named MVP of Angelus League". Los Angeles Times. March 24, 1987. p. C8. Retrieved May 29, 2008.
- ^ "Roundball Classic, Rosters". Associated Press. March 31, 1987.
- ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (March 11, 1987). "This Cinderella Story Is Brought to Saugus by Way of Hollywood". Los Angeles Times. p. C7. Retrieved May 28, 2008.
- ^ "The Register's All-County Team". Orange County Register. March 18, 1987. p. C8. Retrieved May 31, 2008.
- ^ Francis, Clark. "Hoop Scoop's Final Ranking of the Nation's Top 100 Seniors: Class of 1987". The HOOP SCOOP, Inc. Retrieved June 9, 2008.
- ^ Hamilton, Tom (April 13, 1987). "Three-Pointer Kit Does a Booming Business". Los Angeles Times. p. C15. Retrieved June 9, 2008.
- ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (April 14, 1987). "Even Those Who Are Perfect Sometimes Have to Lose". Los Angeles Times. p. C8. Retrieved June 9, 2008.
- ^ "USA Today's All-USA High School Basketball Team". UPI. April 15, 1987.
- ^ Norwood, Robyn (April 20, 1987). "For Jeff Wood, Baseball Is Just the Icing". Los Angeles Times. p. C16. Retrieved June 9, 2008.
- ^ Osterman, David (April 10, 1987). "Ellis is named Player of Year by prep magazine". Orange County Register. Retrieved June 9, 2008.
- ^ Rezell, John (June 1, 1987). "Prep week in review". Orange County Register. Retrieved June 9, 2008.
- ^ "Jones Cup Roster". Associated Press. June 30, 1988.
- ^ "The 1989 United Press International All-Southeastern Conference College Basketball Team". United Press International. February 28, 1989.
External links
- LeRon Ellis statistics, databasebasketball.com
- OrangeHoops Profile on LeRon Ellis