In an effort to turn around its men’s basketball program, Alcorn State is turning to someone with a lengthy history of professional experience. Former Golden State Warriors guard — and 12-year NBA veteran — Monta Ellis was named the team’s new general manager Friday, Alcorn State announced.
Ellis, 40, last played in the NBA during the 2016-17 season.
Since his playing days, Ellis has focused on his family, per ESPN. His son, Monta Ellis Jr., is a 2028 recruit, and Monta Sr. said he’s been guiding his son through that experience.
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While Ellis doesn’t have experience as a general manager, he did mention he’s coached and trained kids over the past decade, per ESPN.
“I’ve been coaching and training kids for the last 10 years, and I’ve seen a lot of kids that could play and didn’t get scholarships. I just think it’s an opportunity for kids like that and also to give back to the state of Mississippi, trying to bring a lot of in-state kids to keep them at home versus letting them go out of state and to other colleges.”
Ellis also doesn’t have college experience. Back when he was an NBA prospect, players were allowed to forego college and go right to the NBA. Ellis took that path, and was selected by the Warriors in the second round of the 2005 NBA Draft.
He spent his first six-and-a-half seasons in the NBA with Golden State, winning the Most-Improved Player award during the 2006-07 season.
Ellis was eventually traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, where he spent a season-and-a-half before hitting the free-agent market. He then spent two years with the Dallas Mavericks and one year with the Indiana Pacers before he was waived in 2017.
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Over his 12-year NBA career, Ellis averaged 17.8 points and 4.6 assists per game.
Alcorn State, an HBCU, is looking for stability after its men’s basketball team posted three straight seasons with a record under .500. E. D’Wayne Robinson, Alcorn State’s athletic director, said Ellis’ presence gives the school credibility and is similar to an endorsement, per ESPN.
“It’s almost like an endorsement from someone that endorses a brand product,” Robinson said. “There are certain people out there that it raises the level of respect for that product. And with Monta having the type of gravitas that he has from being a player — he’s been a good guy over the years — the program benefits from his brand.”
Ellis should, at least, have some familiarity with Alcorn State. He grew up in Mississippi and attended Lanier High School, roughly a 90 minute drive from Alcorn State, which is located near Lorman, MS.
