Alabama guard Keon Ellis worked out for the Heat on Monday, per Jake Weingarten of Stockrisers.com (Twitter link). It was previously reported that Ellis is working out for Florida’s other pro club, the Magic, today.
The 6’6″ shooting guard played his first two seasons of college ball at Florida SouthWestern, from 2018–2020, before transferring to Alabama. During his second season with the Crimson Tide in 2021/22, Ellis was named to the SEC All-Defensive team. Through 33 games, he averaged 12.1 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 1.9 SPG and 1.8 APG. He also posted shooting splits of .439/.366/.881.
Ellis is ranked as the No. 66 prospect on ESPN’s big board. The Heat only possess the No. 27 pick this year. Miami lost its second-round draft pick this year for a free agency tampering violation. The Heat have had plenty of luck in recent years in signing undrafted free agent rookies, should Ellis become available that way.
There’s more out of the Southeast Division:
- Magic big man Mohamed Bamba is a restricted free agent this summer. Bamba could be the odd man out on the roster. Orlando is set to add another big man prospect with the top pick in the 2022 draft this summer, plus forward Franz Wagner and big man Wendell Carter Jr. Orlando extended Carter last summer. Ethan Fuller of Basketball News considers potential landing spots for Bamba during the offseason.During a breakout fourth NBA season, the 24-year-old showed off his abilities as a high-level finisher and elite rim protector. Fuller considers clubs like the Nets, Heat and Mavericks as possible destinations. Should Bamba remain in Orlando, Fuller projects him to move to the bench to accommodate whichever player the Magic decide to draft.
- Hornets ownership agreed to extend its lease for the team’s Charlotte home arena, Spectrum Center, through 2045, according to a team press release. “Hornets Sports & Entertainment truly values the public-private partnership that we share with the City of Charlotte, including our agreement to manage Spectrum Center, which is a city-owned building,” the statement read in part. “We look forward to continuing to serve as stewards of Spectrum Center to make it the premier destination for sports and entertainment in the Carolinas.”
- The Hawks are looking at five pro prospects tomorrow, tweets Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. Atlanta will work out Houston big man Josh Carlton, Providence forward Justin Minaya, St. John’s wing Julian Champagnie, VCU forward Vince Williams Jr., and Fresno State forward Orlando Robinson. The Hawks have the No. 16 and No. 44 picks in the 2022 draft at their disposal.