El Ellis Open to Returning to Louisville, Mulling Starting Professional Career
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - El Ellis will be going through Senior Day activities when the Louisville men's basketball program hosts Virginia Tech this Tuesday, but it might not be the last time he ever suits up for the Cardinals.
Speaking to the media on Monday, the All-ACC candidate did not rule out a potential return to Louisville next season, saying that he will weigh his options as it pertains to either starting his professional career and declaring for the NBA Draft, or taking advantage of his final year of collegiate eligibility.
"My mindset right now is to test the waters," he said. "I'm going to see how everything goes, and then I going to make my decision on if I'm coming back based on that."
While listed as a senior on Louisville's roster, the 6-foot-3, 180-pound guard still has a COVID waiver year of collegiate eligibility that he can use at his disposal. Should he decide that he does want to utilize the extra year, he will not be using it on another school via the transfer portal.
"I just don't feel comfortable going to another school. I feel like Louisville is the place for me," he said. "Even through everything that's been going on - the coaching change, the records, everything like that - I feel like if I'm going to come back and go to college again, I'm going to come back to Louisville because I didn't finish the way I wanted to. I want to leave as a winner, a that's something I didn't get to do. If college is going to be the next option for me, then I'm coming back to Louisville."
The Durham, N.C. native has been a bright spot on an otherwise bleak season for Louisville. His 18.0 points per game is currently second in the ACC behind Wake Forest's Tyree Applyby, and his 4.6 assists per game comes in at sixth in the league. He is also shooting 41.9 percent from the field, 32.9 percent on three-point attempts and 81.1 percent from the free throw line.
A former two-time JUCO All-American at Tallahassee Community College, Ellis joined Louisville last season, and had an immediate impact. He averaged 8.7 points per game to finish as Louisville's third-leading scorer, averaged 1.6 assists per game, and was UofL's top three-point shooter by shooting percentage at 36.0 percent.
Tip-off between the Cardinals (4-25, 2-18 ACC) and the Hokies (16-13, 6-12 ACC) is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 9:00 p.m. EST.
(Photo of El Ellis: Jared Anderson - Louisville Report)
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