Alabama Basketball Adds JUCO Transfer Keon Ellis
The University of Alabama’s backcourt just added some more depth.
Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats and company picked up a verbal commitment from JUCO transfer and four-star guard Keon Ellis per his Twitter page. The Eustis, Fla. native chose Alabama over Kansas State, Western Kentucky, Iowa State, Middle Tennessee State, and Fresno State.
Assistant Bryan Hodgson led the way on Ellis’ recruitment.
“First I would like to thank God for giving me the ability to play basketball,” Ellis said in a statement. “Next, I want to thank the FSW coaching staff for putting in the position to succeed and showcase my ability. Last, I want to thank my family and friends for supporting me through this JUCO process.
“With that being said, I will be attending the University of Alabama. Also thanks to Coach Oats and Coach Hodgson for giving me the opportunity to play for their program. #RollTideRoll”
The 6-foot-6, 165 pound combo guard is coming off of a sophomore season at Florida SouthWestern State College where he averaged 18.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. He shot a highly efficient 53.6 percent from the field and 40.1 percent from three-point range.
That stellar season earned him SunCoast Conference Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference honors to help the Buccaneers to a 29-2 mark on the year. 247Sports rates Ellis as the third best player overall and No. 1 combo guard on the JUCO market.
During his freshman season at FSWSC, Ellis made the Second Team All-Conference Team after averaged 8.3 points and 3.0 rebounds in 33 contests.
Ellis joins five-star guard Josh Primo and four-star forward Keon Ambrose-Hylton as the three members of the Crimson Tide’s 2020 recruiting class. Alabama is still in the mix for Yale transfer Jordan Bruner, high school prospect and three-star forward Darius Miles, and another JUCO transfer in Saquan Singleton.
