dallasnews
Monta Ellis, who once donned a Dallas Mavericks uniform, is heading back to his home state to take on a new challenge in college basketball. Alcorn State announced on Friday that Ellis has agreed to serve as the general manager of its men's basketball team.
Hailing from Jackson, Mississippi, Ellis becomes part of a growing trend of former NBA players moving into administrative roles at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), following in the footsteps of Kendrick Perkins at Jackson State and John Wall at Howard.
In a statement, Ellis expressed his enthusiasm: "As someone who believes in developing people on and off the court, I'm excited to help build a championship culture for our student-athletes to succeed in basketball, in the classroom, and more importantly, in life." He added, "Thank you to everyone who has believed in me throughout my journey. I'm ready to get to work, embrace the challenge, and represent Braves Nation with pride."
Key Analysis
Ellis's appointment is expected to bolster Alcorn State's recruiting efforts in the region, given his deep roots in Mississippi. He won two state championships at Lanier High School in Jackson, showcasing his familiarity with the local basketball landscape.
The Braves struggled last season under first-year head coach Jake Morton, finishing with a 9-23 overall record and a 7-11 mark in Southwestern Athletic Conference play. Ellis's experience and connections could provide a significant boost to the program's competitiveness.
Ellis, selected as the 40th overall pick in the 2005 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors, had a distinguished 12-year NBA career. With the Mavericks, he averaged 19 points, 4.9 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game over two seasons, helping the team reach the playoffs in 2014 and 2015. He also played for the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks, finishing his career with averages of 17.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game.
Originally reported by dallasnews.