SACRAMENTO, Calif.- Former Florida SouthWestern All-American Keon Ellis has signed a two-way deal with the Sacramento Kings, making him the first Buccaneer in program history to make his way onto an NBA roster.
Ellis was in the mix for a number of teams during Thursday's NBA Draft, but ultimately went undrafted in the most exclusive draft day in American professional sports. It didn't take long for him to get scooped up though as less than an hour after the final of the 58 picks was announced, news had already broken of Ellis inking a two-way deal with the Sacramento Kings.
"We are very proud of Keon" FSW Head Coach Eric Murphy said. "He is the first player for us that has got a chance to sign an NBA contract, which is a huge accomplishment! He now has the opportunity to live out his dream that he started with us at FSW. That is what our program is all about, helping young men be successful in achieving their dreams. Words can't describe how proud I am of him and I am confident he will find his way into a game this year and we will be here to continue to support and cheer him on!"
Ellis starred for the Bucs during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, leading FSW to back to back Suncoast Conference Championships and two bids to the NJCAA National Tournament. As a sophomore, Ellis set a new program record, averaging 18.1 points per game on the season, shooting a blistering 54% from the field and 40% from distance. Equally as impressive on the defensive end, Ellis finished the year with a program record 64 steals, helping him earn Suncoast Conference Player of the Year and NJCAA All-American honors.
At the conclusion of his second season with the Bucs, Ellis signed at Alabama where he was a member of a pair of NCAA Tournament squads with the Crimson Tide. He started all 33 games this season as a senior, posting a team best +87 mark which ranked 6th in the SEC, while also leading Alabama in rebounding and steals with 6.1 and 1.9 per game to earn SEC All-Defensive Team honors. He scored in double figures 19 times as a senior, putting up a season high 28 against #5 Kentucky midway through the conference season.
Ellis' two-way contract with the Kings allows him to play up to 50 regular season games in Sacramento while also giving him the opportunity to suit up and see action for the Kings' G-League team in Stockton.