Alcorn State has hired former NBA guard Monta Ellis as the new general manager of its men’s basketball program, the university announced Friday. The Jackson, Mississippi, native will oversee roster construction, recruiting strategy, transfer portal decisions and NIL opportunities while working alongside head coach Jake Morton.
Ellis brings 12 seasons of NBA experience to Alcorn after playing for the Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers. The 2005 second-round pick finished his NBA career with 14,858 points, 3,856 assists and 2,874 rebounds, averaging 17.8 points per game.
Ellis was selected No. 40 overall by Golden State in 2005 and became one of the NBA’s most productive perimeter scorers. He won the 2007 NBA Most Improved Player award and surpassed 14,800 career points during his 12-season career.
His new responsibilities at Alcorn will extend beyond traditional front-office duties. Ellis will assist with player evaluation, recruiting, transfer portal decisions, NIL opportunities and relationships with alumni and donors, while also serving as a mentor to the program’s student-athletes.
“Today marks the beginning of an incredible new chapter, and I’m truly honored and excited to be named the General Manager for Men’s Basketball at Alcorn State University,” Ellis said in the university’s announcement.
Ellis returns to the state where he established himself as one of the country’s top high school players. At Lanier High School in Jackson, he won two MHSAA Class 4A state championships and finished his prep career with 4,167 points, averaging 38.4 points per game.
He also compiled a 68-7 record during his championship seasons and earned McDonald’s All-American and Mr. Basketball USA honors in 2005. Ellis led Lanier to a state runner-up finish as a junior before completing his high school career with a national player of the year honor.
Alcorn is coming off a 9-23 season under Morton, including a 7-11 record in Southwestern Athletic Conference play. The Braves advanced to the second round of the SWAC Tournament after defeating No. 10 seed Alabama State 77-65.
Ellis joins a program with a significant historical record in conference play. Alcorn has won 18 regular-season conference championships, most recently in 2022 and 2023, and has captured seven conference tournament titles, including its most recent championship in 2002.
The Braves have also made seven NCAA Tournament appearances, with their 1969 team reaching the Sweet Sixteen at the Division II level. Their Division I tournament appearances came in 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1999 and 2002.
Ellis’ NBA background also gives Alcorn a prominent figure to deploy on the recruiting trail. The university expects his relationships throughout the AAU, high school, college and professional basketball networks to support its efforts to attract players to Lorman.
