By EDDIE GIBBON
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — In a game that featured national stars Thon Maker, Jamal Murray and Traci Carter, an under-the-radar prospect stole the show.
In the third game of the day here at the Hoophall Classic, Life Center Academy (N.J.) defeated Maker and Orangeville Prep (Ontario), 60-54. The star of the game was Malik Ellison who scored a game-high 28 points with Wake Forest head coach Danny Manning among those on hand.
The son of former Louisville great and current Life Center coach Pervis Ellison, Malik is just recovering from a leg injury that set him back over the summer.
“I broke my tibia,” said Ellison after his team’s upset victory. “I was definitely rusty and I had to shake it after the first two games, but now I’m feeling great.”
When asked what he’s improved upon recently, the 6-foot-6 Ellison noted that he’s gotten stronger and has more confidence.
“My confidence is through the roof right now,” said Ellison.
With many of the top scorers in the Class of 2015 already committed, many of the nation’s top programs will be on him shortly.
When asked what schools are on him the hardest he listed Minnesota, Indiana, Creighton, Georgetown, Temple and Maryland. All of those schools have offered except for Georgetown.
He has taken one official visit to Minnesota, which seemed to leave a lasting impression on him.
“It was nice,” Ellison said. “They’re in need of a scorer.”
Coach Richard Pitino told him that “He would play major minutes as a freshman,” which he mentioned as one of the most important factors in making his decision.
After the season Ellison mentioned that he would like to take the rest of his officials, and plans on deciding during the April signing period.
Ellison broke down a few of the schools on his list:
Minnesota: “They’re big time, they’re in the Big Ten Conference. They play the best competition in the country, and with the coaches and everything else it’s a very good fit.”
Georgetown: “I haven’t talked to them as much, I’ve only talked to them a little bit. They’ve been a great squad since back in the day so obviously it would be a good fit.”
Indiana: “They’re kind of my play style. They have a lot of shooters, and tall guards.”
Maryland: “This year they have proved a lot. They’re ranked in the country now, so that would be a great fit.”
