At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, over one hundred players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III or NAIA levels, and that number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class. Typically, we take a closer look at guys who are overlooked and underrated, and today's edition will highlight Kabe Ellis of Andrews.
We've seen Ellis countless times over the years, including at our most recent Phenom All-American Camp, where we stated, 'Moving onto a player that was easily among the top leaders and overall playmakers in attendance, Kabe Ellis. He's a smart, speedy point guard prospect with exceptional vision and the ability to score with efficiency from all three levels. Ellis is very tough to contain in the open floor and understands how to consistently locate and make the best possible play/decision. Next in his development process is continuing to add strength, as it'll only make him a more physical defender. Coach Hodges on Ellis: 'Kabe is a more than capable point guard. He has a huge motor and loves making plays on both ends of the floor. Kabe gets everyone involved and leads by example. None of his teammates can question him because he plays so hard. Kabe is very good in transition with the ball in his hands. He seems to always make the right play. Simply put, he is my kind of player.' Ellis was undeniably impressive during camp, securing yet another Mr. Playmaker award, and should be a priority for various coaches throughout his senior season.'
While Ellis might not have the athleticism or physical advantages like some others, his IQ and ability to fearlessly lead a team make him a legitimate problem for opponents. He's quick, crafty, and able to touch the paint or assert himself as a scoring threat from all three levels. Ellis offers an electric, high-motor presence as a floor general and offers quality defensive resistance at the point of attack. He pushes the break with ease in transition and makes consistently unselfish decisions with the ball in his hands. Ellis possesses such a great balance between scoring and playmaking, which is a huge part of what makes him a dynamic point guard. While he might be unassuming at first glance, Ellis is an absolute gamer that would be an asset at a wide variety of programs.