Kentucky Basketball Recruiting 2012: Perry Ellis
By Paul Jordan
The 2012 class is finishing up at the Peach Jam and recruiting news is coming fast and furious, well news except for commitments. Most of the prospects are adding teams to their lists and talking about cutting down their lists soon, so we will continue with our recruit profiles until we finally get the first 2012 commitment.
Calipari has been on the recruiting trail and has watched countless recruits play in different AAU events around the country, but it seems as though he has stayed focused on a name we have heard since he became coach, Perry Ellis. Ellis has been playing well reportedly and Calipari has watch most of his games during the July recruiting period so far, and it has been reported that he is extremely focused on getting him to Lexington. Lets take a closer look at Ellis:
Perry Ellis
6’8 220 PF
Wichita-Heights HS, Wichita KS
Rivals Ranking: ***** #8 PF, #19 Overall
Scout Ranking: ***** #5 PF, #22 Overall
ESPN Ranking: **** (96) #7 PF, #19 Overall
Ellis is one of the primary targets for UK, but he also may be the most difficult to get. Kansas is also a major factor in his recruitment, and it is usually very difficult to get prospects out of a state where a major powerhouse program is located. Few top prospects leave Kansas when they are pursuing them, much like how few prospects leave Kentucky when UK is pursuing them. It will be difficult to imagine Bill Self losing Ellis, but if he does lose him, the smart money is on John Calipari.
Most experts believe UK and KU are the two favorites for Ellis and that it will be a heated race to get him. Ellis is a very talented big man who has been on the radar of college coaches since he was in the 8th grade. He is a strong, tall power forward who has some shooting range to 15 feet and a very good back to the basket game. He also runs the floor very well which is an important part of Calipari coached teams. Le
ts take a look at what ESPN says about Ellis as well as some video at the end:
Strengths:
Ellis is a very strong power forward. He runs the floor very well and can catch and finish on the move in transition. Ellis is a good area rebounder as well. He scores in the low post by mostly facing up and attacking his defender with one or two strong dribbles toward the rim. Ellis is more skilled than he gets credit for at times because he can step out and hit a 15 foot jumper with time and space. He can use his ball handling to bust out dribble after a defensive rebounder. Ellis’ game will benefit mostly in a system with structure where he knows where he is going to get the ball.
Weaknesses:
Ellis can only play power forward and operate 15 feet and in because it is very difficult for him to score on the perimeter or in space. He must work on his back to the basket moves and continue to hone his skills.
Bottom Line:
Perry is starting to put all the pieces together. He’s not afraid to dominate and if there’s a guy he knows he should whip he goes in to beast mode and he doesn’t need to be on the block to do it. If he played along side a true center he’d really shine becuase of his skill, athleticism and motor.
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