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College basketball transfer portal: How prized ex-Louisville star El Ellis fits with top suitors – 247Sports
Ex-Louisville guard El Ellis answered every question about if he could handle a heavy role in 2022-23. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 17.7 points, 4.4 assists and 2.6 rebounds this past season, but the Kenny Payne-led Cardinals endured one of the worst seasons in program history. Louisville finished just 4-28, and Ellis entered the transfer portal Friday. Ellis is also testing the 2023 NBA Draft waters.
“Really I know that we had a rough season and it’s hard to get drafted if you don’t win, but if I get drafted or get a guaranteed two-way then I will stay in the draft,” Ellis told 247Sports’ Travis Branham. “I have always bet on myself and I know that if I get a guaranteed two-way then I can work my way up, build my resume, kill in the G League for a period of time, if I have to do that, and then work my way up.”
Even though Louisville was a disaster, Ellis flashed intriguing pick-and-roll chops. It’s obvious Ellis can walk into any situation and produce.
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Here is how Ellis would fit with the schools that are in the mix:
Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh has to find some reinforcements for its backcourt with Nelly Cummings and Jamarius Burton out of eligibility. Ellis could form a really nasty 1-2 punch with Blake Hinson.
Rutgers: Rutgers flirting with Ellis is interesting. Steve Pikiell must believe he can get more defensively out of the Louisville transfer. It’s clear Rutgers’ offense needs to take the next step if it wants to seriously compete for second-weekend bids and a Big Ten championship. If Paul Mulcahy stays in the NBA Draft, Rutgers will have a dire need for a lead guard like Ellis.
Seton Hall: Shaheen Holloway is trying to find a backcourt boost. Hofstra transfer Aaron Estrada is one to watch for Seton Hall, but Ellis fits a lot of what the Pirates so desperately need.
UCF: UCF coach Johnny Dawkins sure knows what he’s doing. Dawkins helped Taylor Hendricks turn into a potential lottery pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Creighton: Ryan Nembhard is in the transfer portal, so Creighton is in the mix for several talented point guards. Is Ellis a top priority? That remains to be seen. Creighton is a major player for both Jaden Bradley and Taran Armstrong.
Florida State: FSU has oodles of opportunity to sell a potential lead guard after Caleb Mills transferred to Memphis. FSU is in the final four for Estrada, and it contacted Ellis, too. But only one can fit alongside potential Year 3 breakout candidate Jalen Warley.
Utah: Utah rated in the 11th percentile in ball-screen efficiency last season, per Synergy Sports Technology. Ellis would change that in a hurry and form an incredible pick-and-pop duo with big man Branden Carlson if he returns.
Mississippi State: Mississippi State averaged just 0.672 points per possession on pick-and-rolls last year. Ellis would boost that significantly, and his improved catch-and-shoot numbers could lead to some intriguing ways for coach Chris Jans to use him off the ball.
Clemson: Brad Brownell and the Clemson staff got an up-close view of Ellis during ACC play, and it’s clear Clemson needs to add even more firepower to its backcourt with Brevin Galloway out of eligibility and stud wing Hunter Tyson also moving on to the professional ranks.
NC State: After missing out on Illinois transfer Jayden Epps, NC State coach Kevin Keatts could view Ellis as a high-floor replacement. NC State’s history with transfer guards is excellent, and the Wolfpack’s free-flowing, open style would allow Ellis to flirt with career-best numbers.
Ole Miss: Adding Georgetown transfer Brandon Murray is a big get for coach Chris Beard and Ole Miss, but pairing him with an explosive lead guard like Ellis could make so much sense. Taking some of the shot-creation burdens off Murray could unlock both parties.
Florida: Florida coach Todd Golden has been chasing guards all offseason. Florida is trending in the right direction with Iona transfer Walter Clayton Jr. and a decision is expected as soon as Tuesday, a source told 247Sports. How would that impact Florida’s chase for Ellis? That remains to be seen.
Georgia: Georgia coach Mike White is on the prowl for a dynamic, scoring guard after second-leading scorer Kario Oquendo entered the transfer portal. Georgia was one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the country last season. Ellis would immediately become the best shooter on the roster.
Ohio State: Ohio State is one shooter away from feeling really good about itself in the transfer portal. Bruce Thornton is the point guard of the future, but if Ellis can buy into a role as an off-ball shooter/secondary scorer, Ohio State could make plenty of sense.
Indiana: The Hoosiers recently reached out to Ellis. Indiana has been one of the busiest teams in the transfer portal. If Xavier Johnson gets a waiver to return for the 2023-24 season, Indiana will likely have room for one more lead guard. The Hoosiers are major players for prized Northern Colorado transfer Dalton Knecht, but Ellis could fit as a scoring complement to Johnson if Indiana can’t lock down Knecht.
Oregon: Oregon just hosted Knecht for a visit this past weekend which is a major development for coach Dana Altman and Co. The Ducks’ backcourt needs more bite, and Knecht or Ellis would add that. But Oregon has just one roster spot remaining. There’s not room in the rotation or the scholarship chart for both.
Arkansas: Tramon Mark and Keyon Menifield are big-time additions, but both guys aren’t knockdown shooters. Ellis can absolutely be that with a different role where he doesn’t have to bail out an offense every other possession. Arkansas having room for Ellis could depend heavily on Devo Davis’ stay-or-go decision with the 2023 NBA Draft.
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