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Boogie Ellis gives Kings game-changing, chip-on-shoulder energy in win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SACRAMENTO – Boogie Ellis wasn’t mad when he saw Bronny James get picked in the 2024 NBA Draft, even though Ellis had better stats in college than his more infamous USC teammate did.
Ellis was happy for James, but definitely is using the slight of not getting drafted at all as motivation while trying to latch on with the Kings.
The 23-year-old guard took another step in that direction, pouring in a game-high 17 points in 22 minutes to pace the Kings to an 85-59 walkaway win over the San Antonio Spurs in the California Classic at Golden 1 Center on Sunday.
“Coach [Doug Christie] said he wanted dogs, and I believe I’m a dog,” Ellis said after anchoring a defense that held the Spurs to a chilly 22.5-percent shooting. “Just showing that, picking up people, being physical, talking, communicating. Just doing everything other people are not willing to do.”
In many ways, Ellis is a Swiss Army Knife-type of player. He can score from anywhere on the floor, does a good job creating shots both for himself and others, and has no problem selling out on the defensive end while trying to create as much havoc as possible.
That was the same M.O. that Ellis had at USC. During the 2022-23 season, he played in 29 games and averaged 16.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and three assists while shooting nearly 42 percent behind the arc.
In comparison, James averaged just 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 25 games, yet got selected 55th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers with the hopes of joining his iconic father to form the first father-son duo to play together in the NBA.
Ellis, meanwhile, didn’t get drafted and wound up signing a free-agent deal with the Kings, with nothing really concrete other than an invitation to the summer league.
“I’m happy for [James] because that’s one of my brothers. I’m glad he got the opportunity,” Ellis said. “But this is a business. Everybody’s trying to feed their family. Definitely have a chip on my shoulder. I believe I’m a great basketball player and I’m better…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/boogie-ellis-gives-kings-game-054600288.html
Author : NBC Sports BayArea
Publish date : 2024-07-08 05:46:00
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