CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reports that Pittsburgh, Virginia, and Harvard are the three finalists for transfer guard Malik Ellison. Ellison, who is transferring from St. John’s after two seasons, visited Pitt this past weekend but has yet to visit either UVA or Harvard. Under NCAA transfer rules, he will have to sit out the upcoming season but will have two years of eligibility remaining beginning in 2018/2019.
St. John's transfer Malik Ellison tells me he's cut his list to Pitt, Virginia, and Harvard. Visited Pitt this past weekend. #SJUBB
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 17, 2017
The 6’6”, 215-pound Ellison is the son of former Louisville star and NBA No. 1 draft pick Pervis Ellison. Malik has played in 57 games in two seasons with the Red Storm, earning 35 starts, 26 of which came this past season. As a sophomore Ellison averaged 7.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.8 turnovers while logging 24.8 minutes per game. He shot 41.9% from the field including 34.1% from 3 and made 59.5% of his free throws. Comparing his shooting numbers from his freshman year to his sophomore year, Ellison improved from the field by five percentage points and beyond the arc by over two percentage points but slipped almost six percentage points from the charity stripe.
SB Nation site Rumble In The Garden, which covers St. John’s basketball, described Ellison’s sophomore season play as follows.
“His overall efficiency improved, all while managing a number of roles for St. John’s – defending the opponent’s best player, providing some scoring punch and serving at times as an extra point guard behind Marcus LoVett and Shamorie Ponds. – March 29 article on Ellison’s transfer by Rumble In The Garden
St. John’s Athletics produced the following feature on Ellison this past January.
The New York Post’s Zach Braziller reported on March 29 that playing time was a factor in Ellison’s decision to transfer. UVA loses starting small forward Devon Hall and starting post Isaiah Wilkins after 2017/2018 but expects to return point guard Ty Jerome, wing prospects Kyle Guy, De’Andre Hunter and Marco Anthony, and posts Jack Salt, Mamadi Diakite, and Jay Huff in 2018/2019.
