Each and every time Phenom Hoop Report gets to report or sees a commitment from a player we have seen over the years, it is always a fantastic day. It is great to see players achieve their goal to play at the next level and it is such a great accomplishment for that player.
Here is the latest commitment.
Player: Marcus Elliott
Class: 2020
Committed to: UNC-Wilmington
What the Player Said:
PHR: What made UNCW the place for you in the end'
Elliott: “I feel like UNCW is a perfect fit for me. Coach McGrath, Coach Esleeck, and Coach Rob all have confidence in my ability and feel that I will be able to come in next year and make an impact. I also enjoy the family environment of UNCW and how they actually care for their players first and that is something I want to be a part of.”
PHR: What kind of relationship have you been able to develop with the staff'
Elliott: “Going into my junior year last season, my team (Holly Springs) had a team camp at UNCW and in the final game against a very good opponent, I hit eight 3-pointers and ended up with 30 points. The whole season last year, Coach Rob came to the games and we had some conversations. Going into this year, I met Coach Esleeck when he came to practice and we had great conversations since then and ended up going up for a visit on January 2nd.”
PHR: What are you hoping to bring to that program'
Elliott: “All I want to do is win, so I want to bring my competitive winning mindset to the program and win a conference championship with the elite talent that is already at UNCW.”
PHR: What did the staff say when you told them about your decision'
Elliott: “The coaches were just as excited as I was, which makes me feel very welcome and honored to be a part of the culture.”
PHR: What will be your focus now with your decision behind you'
Elliott: “My main focus is to keep working even harder to prove that I am the right player to have in the program and also another big focus would be to learn from the guards that are at UNCW now.”
What Was Said by Phenom Hoops:
“He’s smart, crafty, and extremely shifty with the ball in his hands, which allows him to dictate the pace and consistently get everyone involved. Elliott came alive whenever it mattered most, hitting big shots at even bigger moments down the stretch and doing anything possible to nudge his team forward.” – Gate City Classic in 2019
“He’s a true point guard that places a major emphasis on getting all of his teammates involved, especially the big men, which is somewhat of a rarity nowadays. That being said, Elliott is also a quality scorer with an excellent three-point stroke and the ability to attack the basket. He’s very smart and leads impeccably well on both ends of the floor. Elliott doesn’t have elite size, but makes up for it with IQ, unselfishness, and an extremely well-rounded skillset. Expect him to start piling up offers, as he simply makes everyone around him better.” – Jeff Bendel in 2019