Know Your Team: Akeem Ellis
KW Titans
6’6
Forward
From Brooklyn, New York
1xAll-NBLC
No stranger to the NBL Canada before suiting up for the KW Titans, as soon as Akeem Ellis joined up with the team his numbers rocketed and he found himself one of the franchise's critical components.
After averaging a double-double, 16.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game, as a sophomore with the Herkimer Generals in New York, he made the move to NCAA Division 1 and the Coppin State Eagles. He had two consistent seasons with the Eagles and averaged 12.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists at the end of his tenure.
Ellis was then chosen by the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in 2013 NBA D-League Draft, going on to play 32 games, averaging 6.8 points and 2.9 rebounds and reaching the playoff semi-finals with the team.
For the 2014-15 season, he made his first appearance in the NBL Canada with the Brampton A’s. He finished the season as the A's highest scorer and helped them to their best post-season finish, taking the Windsor Express to a deciding game seven in the Central Division finals.
In 2015 he moved to the UK, becoming the starting power forward for the Cheshire Phoenix. He played 33 points with the Phoenix, reaching the semi-finals of both the Cup competition and the playoffs, finishing with averages of 17.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.
Ellis started the 2016-17 season with Lourdes in France, then returned to Canada and signed with the Island Storm. In 30 games, he averaged 14.4 points and 5.0 rebounds while reaching the Atlantic Division finals with the Storm.
After sitting out the following season, he signed with the KW Titans ahead of the 2018-19 NBLC Season. It proved a lucrative move on both ends, Ellis put up his career-best stats of 17.9 points and 7.0 rebounds in 32 games played.
His numbers were a big part in the Titans' turning their season around and reaching the Central Division finals after defeating London, the defending champions, in the playoffs. That would be as far as they would go, though. He also earned his first league honour, being named to the All-NBLC third team.
In the off-season, he averaged 9.2 points in 16 games for the Edmonton Stingers in the CEBL. After beginning 2019-20 with Puerto Montt in Chile, he returned to Kitchener just in time for the start of the new NBLC season.
Once again, he led the team on offence with an average 17.7 points in 22 games played, as well as being third in both rebounding (7.4 total boards) and assists (4.0 per game). He also won the Player of the Week award on February 2nd.
His abilities on offence have made Ellis a player of high value for the Titans, a big threat for opponents and one of the most entertaining players to watch work.
Picture: Peter Lee
