South Carolina basketball recruit earns Overtime Elite MVP title…once more

Live from Columbia, South Carolina, I’m reporting on the arrival of Eli Ellis, a highly-anticipated basketball signee for the Gamecocks. With the summer fast approaching, the spotlight is already on the 6’1″ guard, who has become one of the most promising prospects to join South Carolina’s roster.

Ranked as the highest-rated player in the Gamecocks’ class according to the On3 industry ranking, Eli Ellis is positioned at No. 70 overall in the nation, No. 4 in North Carolina, and No. 21 among all shooting guards. Expectations are soaring, as many see him as a potential dynamic scorer at the college level.

Ellis has already made a huge impact in high school basketball, earning All-American honors and securing a spot in the prestigious Iverson Classic All-American Game in May. But just this week, he received another well-deserved accolade. On Wednesday evening, the news broke that Ellis had been named MVP of the competitive Overtime Elite league. This marks his second consecutive year winning the MVP award, a true testament to his incredible talent.

During the season, Ellis posted eye-popping numbers, averaging 32 points, nearly 7 assists, and 6 rebounds. He also led his team, the YNG Dreamerz, to the top spot in the playoffs, and in the coming weeks, he’ll compete for the OTE championship. As if that wasn’t enough, Ellis has already etched his name in Overtime Elite history, becoming the league’s all-time leading scorer, with multiple 50-point performances under his belt.

In addition to his MVP selection, Ellis earned a spot on the All-OTE team this season. Notably, his younger brother, Isaac Ellis, and teammate Kohl Rosario also made the cut, and both players are high on South Carolina’s radar for the Class of 2026. Isaac, much like Eli, is a crafty combo guard, while Rosario is an athletic wing with a growing shooting ability.

Looking ahead to his time at USC, Ellis has a clear path to playing time. The Gamecocks will be losing starting guards Jamarii Thomas and Jacobi Wright, which opens up opportunities in the backcourt. If Ellis can impress during the preseason, he could secure a significant role as a freshman.

As a player, Eli Ellis is all about scoring. His competitiveness, ball-handling, and shooting ability set him apart. Although his shooting percentages aren’t elite yet, it’s important to note that Ellis takes and makes some difficult shots, such as step-backs, fadeaways, and long-range bombs from 30 feet. As he adjusts to the college game, his efficiency should only improve. Despite not having exceptional size or athleticism, Ellis finishes around the basket with ease and has shown significant progress as a passer and playmaker this season, leading OTE in assists with 6.7 per game.

It’s clear that Eli Ellis is a player to watch, and the Gamecocks are gaining a major talent to build around for the future.