Perry Ellis: The Wildcat Blue Nation Interview
By Paul Jordan
As we know, Perry Ellis is one of the top 2012 recruits and one of the biggest targets for Kentucky Wildcat coach John Calipari. The other day I was able to get a hold of Perry and was able to do an interview not only with him, but his mother, Fonda as well. The Ellis’s were very enthusiastic about speaking with the Wildcat Blue Nation and Mrs. Ellis actually supplied the pictures you see here. Here is what the Ellis’s had to say:
Tyler Cox: What do you like to eat to fuel up?
Perry Ellis: Vitamin Water and Bananas
TC: What is your pre-game playlist (on your ipod)?
PE: I switch up each week don’t have a favorite.
TC: When did you first realize you had a talent for basketball?
PE: When I was in middle school around 7th grade.
TC: Who is your inspiration?
PE: My parents that have been so supportive and helped me stay grounded. They
have instilled in me great values to live by. They keep me “Humble and Hungry”.
TC: If you could play one on one against one player, alive or dead, who would it be?
PE: I would say either Derrick Rose or John Wall
TC: What motivates you?
PE: Playing against good competition really motivates me to work on my game and to play hard.
TC: What do you like about the recruiting process?
PE: It is a great experience an honor to have college coaches calling, watching me play, and emailing me, sending me letters and notes.
TC: What don’t you like about the recruiting process?
PE: It can be overwhelming at times but I know this is part of the process. That was one of the reasons why I trimmed by list down to 6 so that I could focus on them.
TC: What teams are you looking at right now, and who is recruiting you the hardest?
PE: My current list in alphabetical order is Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Memphis, Oklahoma and
Wichita State. I think that Kansas and K State really recruited me the hardest this summer they were at
just about all my games. Kentucky, Memphis, Oklahoma and Wichita State are really working hard now but Kansas and K State never stopped working.
TC: Do you have a favorite school yet?
PE: Just top 6 right now not ready to put them in order yet.
I also had some questions for Perry’s Mother, Fonda Ellis and she was gracious enough to answer them for me:
Tyler Cox: What has been the hardest part of being a mother to one of if not the best basketball players in the country?
Fonda Ellis: I think the hardest part is I like all the coaches that are recruiting Perry and they all have been great. It will be hard for me to eventually say good bye to five of them. Most of these coaches have been recruiting Perry since the 8th or 9th grade.
TC: What has been the best part?
FE: It has been a great experience and our family has been able to watch some great basketball games, go on several unofficial visits and spend time with coaches. It is a great honor to have this opportunity.
TC: Which coaches recruiting Perry do you like? Do you have a favorite?
FE: I like them all I really do.
TC: As a mother how proud are you of Perry?
FE: I am so very proud. Perry works hard on and off the court. What I am the most proud of is his academics. He consistently does well in the classroom since the 8th grade. His big sister Savannah who is at the University of Memphis told Perry “Don’t wait on getting your grades right. Start now your freshman year”. School is one of Perry’s primary focuses. He knows that he will not play basketball forever and knows he needs a good back up plan. Perry is a leader by example and I admire him for his ability to stand up for what he believes in by being a good role model for others.
TC: What did you do when Perry was a youngster that helped Perry become the player he is today?
FE: I was a track runner in high school and one thing I think that helped Perry. He was on an AAU Track Club Wichita Athletics when he was very young and he had to work hard to train for long jump and running events like the 100 and 200. I think that helped with his speed and with his leaping ability on the court today.
I want to thank Mrs. Ellis and Perry for their time and wish them the best in their recruitment process and in everything thing they do!
Photos supplied by Fonda Ellis — taken by Steve Cross
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