LaPhonso Ellis is a former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for ten seasons. He was born on May 22, 1970, in East St. Louis, Illinois, and attended Notre Dame University, where he played college basketball.
Ellis was selected fifth overall in the 1992 NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets. He played for the Nuggets for three seasons before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks in 1996. He played for the Hawks for one season before being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1997. He played for the Timberwolves for one season before being traded to the Miami Heat in 1998. He played for the Heat for two seasons before being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves again in 2000. He played for the Timberwolves for one season before being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2001. He played for the Cavaliers for one season before being traded to the Seattle SuperSonics in 2002. He played for the SuperSonics for one season before retiring from the NBA in 2003.
Ellis was known for his versatility as a player. He was a power forward who could also play small forward and center. He was a good rebounder and shot blocker, and he had a decent mid-range jump shot. He was also known for his work ethic and his leadership on and off the court.
Ellis had a successful college career at Notre Dame. He was a two-time All-American and was named the Big East Player of the Year in 1992. He led Notre Dame to the NCAA Tournament in each of his four seasons there.
In the NBA, Ellis had some good seasons, but he was also plagued by injuries. He missed significant time due to knee injuries and other ailments. He played in a total of 407 NBA games, averaging 9.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game.
After retiring from the NBA, Ellis worked as a college basketball analyst for ESPN and CBS Sports. He also worked as a high school basketball coach and as a motivational speaker.
Overall, LaPhonso Ellis had a solid NBA career, but injuries prevented him from reaching his full potential. He was a versatile player who was respected by his teammates and opponents alike. He has continued to make a positive impact on the basketball world through his work as an analyst, coach, and speaker.
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