From unsure freshman to stalwart senior, Ellis has morphed into a mainstay at Milligan and expanded his skillset. In other words, this guy is not the same player he was when he wore the maroon-and-white for the Vikings.

"I remember freshman year I came in thinking 'Hey I can still use the same moves, same everything.' Nah. They teach you how to get tough and you have to learn some stuff," Ellis said. "It's been a total transformation. It's been fun."

Ellis started and accrued six points, two rebounds and a blocked shot on Saturday for the Buffaloes in their 67-49 Appalachian Athletic Conference men's basketball win over Bluefield at Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.

Ellis scored Milligan's first points of the game on a short jumper and then produced what might have been the game-clinching sequence.

With 6:42 remaining he hit a turnaround jumper to put the Buffaloes up 54-42. Twenty-five seconds later on the other end of the floor, Ellis swatted a shot attempt by Bluefield's Zeke Williams.

Ellis is averaging 4.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game and ranks second on the team in blocks.

"He brings incredible energy," said Milligan coach Bill Robinson. "He's super athletic and does a great job on the glass. The biggest thing he does is he executes exactly what we want."

Robinson has certainly witnessed the 6-foot-6 Ellis grow over the course of his four seasons.

"He never really spent 365 days just working on basketball before he got here," Robinson said. "We've seen his development. He's obviously been able to finish around the rim more than he did as a freshman. He's just tougher and he's put on some weight and really good muscle and he's somebody we can trust to make good plays."

Going from sixth man to a starter has been Ellis' biggest adjustment this season.

"It has been a little bit different," he said. "You just try to keep doing what you're doing and improve on it."

Ellis has also come to the realization that only 12 regular-season games remain in his collegiate career. Call it the Chris Ellis farewell tour.

"I'm trying not to think about it like that," Ellis said. "It's getting real though â€" starting the second semester, my last semester at Milligan. I've had such a great time here, it's going to be rough having to leave."

An exercise science major, Ellis plans for a career in physical therapy.

Robinson is betting on his big man to be a success in any endeavor.

"As good as he is on the floor, he's twice as good off the floor," Robinson said. "He's just an amazing young man. He's the kid you'd want your daughter to marry."

thayes@bristolnews.com | Twitter:@Hayes_BHCSports | (276) 645-2570


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