Brian Bowen
February 13, 2021
Perry Ellis
- Nationality: USA/JAP
- Date of Birth: 14/09/93
- Place of Birth: Wichita, Kansas (USA)
- Position: FRD
- Height (CM): 203
- Weight (KG): 99
- Junior Assoc:
- College: Kansas (2012–2016)
- NBL DEBUT: 7/10/17
- AGE AT DEBUT: 24
- LAST NBL GAME: 18/02/18
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 24
- NBL History: Brisbane 2018
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Perry Ellis was born in Wichita, Kansas (USA), Ellis began playing basketball in first grade, and measured 6’1″ in sixth grade.
He attended Wichita Heights High School who he led Wichita Heights to four state titles. He was named Kansas player of the year four times, and recorded a cumulative 2,231 points and 984 rebounds during his prep career. Academically, Ellis maintained a 4.0 GPA and was named valedictorian of his high school class.
He was selected as a McDonald’s All-American after his senior season in 2012.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Perry Ellis made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 24 years of age. He scored 13 points in his first game.
After missing the playoffs the previous season, Sydney parted ways with Greg Whittington, Josh Powell, Steve Blake, Aleks Maric, Garrett Jackson and Craig Moller (to Melbourne). Brad Newley, Kevin Lisch, Jason Cadee and Tom Garlepp returned, while head coach Andrew Gaze added Todd Blanchfield (via Melbourne), Travis Leslie, Isaac Humphries (via Kentucky), Dane Pineau (via Saint Mary’s) and Amritpal Singh (via Pune). The Kings made Perry Ellis (via Greensboro) their first import signing on May 19 after he had spent four seasons at Kansas and his first professional season with the Greensboro Swarm in the NBA Development League.
Sydney became the first NBL team to travel to the United States to face an NBA team during the preseason, where Ellis (19 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals) led the Kings in a 108-84 loss to the Utah Jazz on October 2.
Sydney opened the regular season against Adelaide at Qudos Bank Arena on October 7, where Ellis (13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) started in his NBL debut. Newley (24 points and 4 assists) and Lisch (16 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists) led Sydney, while Ramone Moore (22 points and 2 steals) helped Adelaide win 105-96.
Ellis (14.8 points and 5.8 rebounds across 27 games) became one of Sydney’s most consistent scorers, leading the Kings with 400 total points while shooting 47.8 percent from the field and 44.7 percent from three-point range.
His best game came against Illawarra on October 15, when Ellis (33 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists) made 11 of 15 shots from the field, four of five three-pointers and seven of eight free throws as Sydney recorded its first win of the season, defeating the Hawks 103-87. Cadee (17 points and 3 assists) provided support, while Demitrius Conger (21 points and 5 rebounds) led Illawarra. The 33 points were the most scored by a Sydney import since Josh Childress had 34 against Illawarra in 2014 and helped the Kings score 100 points for the first time under Gaze. The win was soured when Lisch (7 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) suffered a right calf injury in the third quarter which would keep him sidelined for most of the season.
Jeremy Kendle (6.8 points across 6 games, via Brisbane) was signed as Lisch’s injury replacement on October 18, but Sydney remained at the bottom of the ladder and fell to 2-6. Leslie (12.3 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals across 8 games, released) was then cut as the Kings decided they had a greater need for a point guard and a dominant big man. Reigning NBL MVP Jerome Randle (19.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists across 19 games, via Bahcesehir) returned to the NBL after leaving Turkey and Jeremy Tyler (13.3 points and 5.8 rebounds across 11 games, via China) was added to strengthen Sydney’s rebounding and interior play.
Against Adelaide on November 18, Ellis (26 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists) made 11 of 14 shots from the field in his second-highest scoring game of the season. Randle (18 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals) and Humphries (17 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) provided support, while Shannon Shorter (19 points and 6 assists) led Adelaide to a 108-93 win.
Ellis (4 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists) injured his shoulder early against Cairns on November 30, leaving after the opening two minutes before returning in the second quarter and trying to play through the injury. Randle (16 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Cadee (16 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Sydney to an 81-72 win, while Cameron Gliddon (20 points and 3 steals) led Cairns. Gaze said, “He tried to push through to his credit but he wasn’t himself.”
The shoulder injury ruled Ellis out of Sydney’s 80-71 loss to Cairns two nights later, the only game he missed during the season.
The additions of Randle and Tyler changed Sydney’s offence, with both requiring touches and Ellis no longer carrying the same offensive load he had during the opening weeks. Tyler’s stint also became another issue within the team, with concerns raised around missed training sessions and his ability to control his emotions during games, while Randle later discussed the difficulties he faced with Tyler during the season. Tyler (released) was cut on January 9 with eight games remaining, with Sydney deciding the remainder of the season would be better used developing its young frontcourt. Managing director Jeff Van Groningen described Tyler as “an undoubted talent” but said the Kings wanted to look more closely at Humphries (6.9 points and 3.7 rebounds across 26 games) and Pineau (2.9 points across 24 games).
Lisch (11.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.5 steals across 11 games) returned on January 13 after missing 17 games with two calf injuries, giving Sydney a backcourt featuring the previous two NBL MVPs in Lisch and Randle. After losing 16 of their first 21 games, the Kings began to turn the season around and won six of their final seven.
Randle became the first player since Andrew Gaze in 1989 to lead the NBL in both scoring and assists and earned All-NBL Second Team honours, while Humphries was named NBL Rookie of the Year. Ellis finished 12th in NBL MVP voting with 58 votes. Newley (11.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists across 27 games), Cadee (11.1 points and 3.3 assists across 28 games) and Blanchfield (9.1 points and 4 rebounds across 25 games) were Sydney’s other major contributors.
Following Sydney’s fifth win in six games, Ellis spoke ahead of the final game about the Kings’ improved form, his time in Sydney, his NBA Summer League aspirations and former Kansas teammate Joel Embiid.
Sydney closed the season against New Zealand at Qudos Bank Arena on February 18, where Ellis (3 points and 4 rebounds) started in his 27th appearance. Cadee (30 points and 3 assists) made six three-pointers and Blanchfield (19 points and 6 rebounds) provided support, while Jordan Ngatai (17 points) led New Zealand. Sydney overcame a 48-42 half-time deficit and outscored the Breakers 33-18 in the fourth quarter to win 101-86, its sixth victory from the final seven games, leaving the Kings seventh with an 11-17 record.
Perry Ellis played one season in the NBL. He averaged 14.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 27 NBL games.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 | 24 | Sydney | 11-17 (7) | 27 | 823 | 400 | 156 | 39 | 48 | 108 | 14 | 15 | 20 | 40 | 149 | 312 | 48% | 34 | 76 | 45% | 115 | 236 | 49% | 47% | 53% | 33 | Totals | 27 | 823 | 400 | 156 | 39 | 48 | 108 | 14 | 15 | 20 | 40 | 149 | 312 | 47.8% | 34 | 76 | 44.7% | 115 | 236 | 48.7% | 48% | 53% | 33 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 | 24 | Sydney | 11-17 (7) | 27 | 30.5 | 14.8 | 5.8 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 4.0 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 5.5 | 11.6 | 48% | 1.3 | 2.8 | 45% | 4.3 | 8.7 | 49% | 47% | 53% | 33 | Total | 27 | 30.5 | 14.8 | 5.8 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 4.0 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 5.5 | 11.6 | 47.8% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 44.7% | 1.3 | 2.8 | 48.7% | 48% | 53% | 33 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 33 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
|---|
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- France - Cholet (2022–2023) | Germany - s.Oliver Würzburg (2018–2019) | Italy - Cantù (2018) | Japan - Ehime Orange Vikings (2020–2021), Osaka Evessa (2021–2022), Saga (2022), Fukui Blowinds (2023–2024) | Turkey - Istanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi (2018–2019)
Ellis joined Pallacanestro Cantù for the 2017–18 Lega Basket Serie A season, playing his first season in Italy after signing on 25 February 2018 and averaging 15.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists across 19 games with the club.
Ellis joined s.Oliver Würzburg during the 2018–19 season in Germany, and in nine FIBA Europe Cup games for Würzburg he averaged 13.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game in European competition.
During the 2018–19 season he also played in Turkey’s top division with Istanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi, appearing in 12 games and averaging 13.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.
Ellis returned to international play in Japan when he signed with the Ehime Orange Vikings on 8 July 2020, and he remained in Japan across multiple seasons that included a move to Osaka Evessa in the B.League and a mid-season signing with the Saga Ballooners on 22 January 2022.
On 25 July 2022, Ellis signed with Cholet Basket for the 2022–23 season in France, and he played 17 games in the FIBA Europe Cup where he averaged 13.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game while sharing the roster with Dominic Artis, T.J. Campbell, and Justin Patton.
Ellis continued in Japan after agreeing to terms with the Fukui Blowinds on 18 July 2023, extending his B.League career with a new club for the 2023–24 season.
COLLEGE
Ellis played college basketball at Kansas from the 2012–13 season through 2015–16, completing four years for the Jayhawks under head coach Bill Self.
Perry Ellis played for four years of college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks.
Playing for coach Bill Self, Ellis averaged 12.5 points and 5.8 rebounds over 144 college games, leading the Jayhawks to a 116-30 record that included 4 trips to the NCAA Tournament, including a trip to the Elite Eight during the 2015-2016 season.
As a freshman in 2012–13, Ellis appeared in 37 games and made three starts while averaging 5.8 points and 3.9 rebounds in 13.6 minutes per game, shooting 47.5% from the field and 73.8% at the line, as Kansas went 31–6 overall and 14–4 in Big 12 play to finish first in the conference standings.
Ellis’ 2012–13 season included a late surge during the Big 12 Championship, where he was named to the Big 12 Championship All-Tournament Team and produced 23 points against Iowa State before adding 12 points, six rebounds, and two assists in the title game win over Kansas State.
In 2013–14, Ellis moved into a primary role, starting 34 of 35 games and finishing as Kansas’ second-leading scorer at 13.6 points per game while averaging 6.7 rebounds in 27.8 minutes, with a 54.9% field goal mark and 76.3% free-throw shooting, as the Jayhawks went 25–10 overall and 14–4 in Big 12 play to again finish first in the league standings.
During that sophomore season, he was an All-Big 12 Third Team selection and produced several signature performances, including 24 points and nine rebounds against Duke on November 12, 2013, a career-high 32 points against TCU on February 15, 2014 (13-for-15 shooting), and a career-high 14 rebounds against TCU on January 25, 2014, while also recording a Big 12 Tournament single-game field-goal percentage record by going 11-for-12 (91.7%) against Iowa State on March 14, 2014.
Ellis’ sophomore campaign also included five double-doubles and eight 20-point games, and in the 2014 NCAA Tournament he logged a double-double against Eastern Kentucky on March 21 with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
As a junior in 2014–15, Ellis started 34 games and led Kansas in both scoring and rebounding at 13.8 points and 6.9 rebounds per game in 28.8 minutes, with shooting splits of 45.7% from the field, 39.1% from three, and 73.0% from the free-throw line, as Kansas finished 27–9 overall and 13–5 in Big 12 play to again place first in conference standings and earn a No. 2 seed in the Midwest Region of the NCAA Tournament.
Ellis’ 2014–15 season included All-Big 12 First Team recognition, Associated Press honorable mention All-America honors, and Academic All-Big 12 First Team selection, and he was named the 2015 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year while also earning three Big 12 Player of the Week awards, recording seven double-doubles, and posting 17 games with seven or more rebounds.
In the 2015 NCAA Tournament, Kansas advanced past New Mexico State in the second round before being eliminated by Wichita State in the third round, concluding a season in which Ellis ranked among Big 12 leaders in scoring and rebounding while also placing among conference leaders in field-goal percentage and free-throw percentage.
As a senior in 2015–16, Ellis started all 38 games and produced his best scoring season at 16.9 points per game, adding 5.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 30.3 minutes, while shooting 53.1% from the field, 43.8% from three, and 78.5% at the line, as Kansas went 33–5 overall and 15–3 in Big 12 play to finish first in the conference and end the season ranked No. 1 in the final AP poll.
Ellis’ senior year included consensus second-team All-America honors, placement on the 35-man midseason Naismith Trophy watchlist on February 11, 2016, and a repeat selection as Big 12 Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2016, along with being named the Danny Manning Mr. Jayhawk Award winner at Kansas’ annual banquet on April 13, 2016.
In 2015–16 he led Kansas in scoring 17 times and in rebounding 15 times, scored 20-plus points 16 times, had 12 games shooting 60% or better from the field, averaged 17.7 points and 5.8 rebounds during Big 12 play, and closed the regular season with notable outings including 20 points on 9-for-11 shooting at Texas on February 29 and 22 points on Senior Night against Iowa State on March 5.
Across the 2016 NCAA Tournament run to the Elite Eight, Ellis averaged 18.3 points per game over four tournament contests, highlighted by Kansas’ Sweet 16 win over Maryland in which he delivered a key second-half scoring burst as the Jayhawks advanced to the regional final.
Over his full Kansas career (2012–2016), Ellis totaled 1,798 points and 834 rebounds across 144 games (109 starts), with career shooting splits of 50.8% from the field, 43.1% from three, and 75.7% at the free-throw line, finishing as a four-year contributor on Kansas teams that consistently won the Big 12 regular season and reached the NCAA Tournament each year of his college tenure.
AWARDS
- McDonald's All-American (2012)
Related
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