PROVIDENCE, R.I. – University of Memphis guard was named the American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year Monday following his performance in the UofM's 83-78 victory over North Carolina State.
Ellis, a native of San Diego, scored a team-high 21 points – including 17 in the first half – to lead the Tigers to the Thanksgiving Day win in the Barclays Center Classic. Ellis made 7-of-11 field goals and each of his five free throws in the game. He was 2-of-3 from beyond the arc.
The 17 first-half points by Ellis allowed the 16th-ranked Tigers to take a 55-39 lead at halftime.