Undrafted USC Guard Boogie Ellis has agreed on a deal with the Sacramento Kings, sources told The Athletic and Stadium on Saturday, July 27. Ellis, who shot 54% from three-point range in the Summer League, will compete for an open roster spot in the Kings training camp.
We’ll see what happens next, but based on Shams Charania’s recent tweet about Ellis, the senior lead NBA insider for The Athletic and Stadium appears to suggest that the Kings’ new deal with the former USC (2021-24) and Memphis (2019-21) guard was a training camp type of deal.
Ellis, 23, was born and raised in San Diego, California. Before pursuing a college basketball career, he attended Mission Bay High School in San Diego’s Pacific Beach neighborhood, where he played high school basketball and became the No. 32 recruit upon graduation in 2019. Read on for further details surrounding Ellis’ first NBA team.
Boogie Ellis Could Make Kings Roster
Boogie Ellis, who can play point guard and shooting guard, may or may not make the Sacramento Kings’ roster. Ellis averaged 13.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists, along with a 49.2% field goal percentage, at USC, which is better than fellow USC alum Bronny James, but he must seize his current opportunity to crack the Kings’ roster.
The Kings currently have several guards, so it’s safe to assume they’d like to diversify — or prepare for a potential injury — among their current group of guards. The Kings’ decision to Ellis was arguably good, but the latter must prove himself for a shot at the NBA. Ellis’ positive energy could also help improve the Kings’ locker room.
Boogie Ellis’ College Basketball Career at USC
Like Bronny James, Boogie Ellis played college basketball at USC. Both of these guys can play point guard and shooting guard, but the biggest difference is that Boogie is a true California native who didn’t grow up in an athletic family. Boogie’s parents, Rowiena and Rejean, and four siblings love and support him through his endeavors though.
Some NBA fans tweeted they wanted to see the Kings sign Lauri Markkanen instead and appeared to be upset with the news, but the Kings’ decision to sign Ellis was a win for many individuals. Ellis helped the USC Trojans advance to their third straight NCAA Tournament after averaging 17.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game in 2022-23.
Possible Potential in Sacramento, California
Boogie Ellis, a 2021 NIT champion, was named a First-Team All-Pac-12 in 2023 and a Second-Team-All-Pac-12 in 2024, respectively. Ellis shined in his college basketball career. Despite some struggling to shoot the ball and a subsequent bench role, Ellis’ perseverance contributed to his career-high 24 points on November 25, 2020.
Ellis, who stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 180 pounds, stood out this summer. The guard’s two 17-point games, including his noteworthy performance when he recorded 17 points, three rebounds, and two assists in the Kings’ 87-77 win over the Phoenix Suns, increased his chances of receiving an Exhibition 10 contract with the former.
Ellis is worthy of the Kings’ contract. He’s arguably a good two-way sniper who hustles on the basketball court. His consistent momentum also sets him apart from some other guards in his draft class and in the previous draft classes of the past five-plus years. It could be a great move for Sacramento as they chase a championship.
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