Amari Ellis '21 Recruiting Profile

The first time I knew I wanted to play basketball for the rest of my life was when my father took me with him to play while I watched from the sidelines.  I did not get an opportunity to play that day, but my interest was piqued. I started to go with my dad regularly and eventually began to play. My father’s team members noticed my talent before I did. I was not that good initially but the more I went and practiced the better I became. I eventually started playing for Chester Academy’s modified team in 7^th grade. I did not initially start because I did not have a lot of history with basketball and to be honest, I was not that good, yet. The more I improved myself on and off the court the more playing time I got in school games. During my 8^th grade year I began to start and get more minutes in the game. I still wasn’t the best, but I was getting better. This is when basketball became my passion. This is when basketball became my life. It is what I enjoy doing most in the world. I feel a sense of honor when I assist a teammate in scoring a basket and when I hear my school cheering me on. When I am not at school playing, I am at the local court putting in 4 to 5 hours a day practicing or participating in a pick-up game.  I feel at home, comfortable and most confident on a basketball court. Basketball gives me the confidence to push myself to be the best version of myself, not only on the court but in the classroom as well. I know who I am on the court. I am a basketball player.  Basketball pushes me to challenge myself and work harder. Through basketball I have learned to listen, follow rules and work as a team.

The college who recruits me will get a hard working and dedicated student and athlete. As hard as I push myself on the court is as hard as I push myself in a classroom. Basketball is just as much my life as my education. The school that recruits me will get a dedicated player and student. I will work hard on and off the court. While playing basketball for school and AAU for the last four years I have been able to keep my grades up and my participation in the classroom above satisfactory. The school that recruits me will get a young man that knows how to help his teammates maintain a winning record, a point guard that can facilitate scoring opportunities for his team and a student who excels in his academics.  My athletic goal is to play for a division I or II college or university on the East Coast, however I am open to other opportunities.