Keon Ellis Bio
Keon Tyrese Ellis (born January 8, 2000) is an American professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Known for his defensive instincts and perimeter shooting, Ellis joined the Kings as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and has steadily grown into a valued rotation piece. He previously played college basketball for the Florida SouthWestern Buccaneers and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Early Life and Background
Keon Tyrese Ellis was born on January 8, 2000, in Eustis, Florida, where he grew up and first developed his love for basketball. He attended Eustis High School in his hometown before transferring to Leesburg High School in Leesburg, Florida, for his junior season. The move allowed him to compete at a higher level and showcase his skills on a bigger stage.
At Leesburg, Ellis quickly established himself as a dominant force, leading the team to back-to-back Class 6A state titles. As a senior, he averaged 12.7 points, 11 rebounds, and two assists per game, helping Leesburg post an impressive 29–1 record. Originally signed to play college basketball for Gardner–Webb, Ellis instead chose to join Florida SouthWestern, a junior college program, for academic reasons, setting the stage for the next phase of his development.
Path to Basketball
Ellis began his college career at Florida SouthWestern, where he made an immediate impact. As a freshman, he averaged 8.3 points and three rebounds per game, earning Second-team All-Suncoast Conference honors. On January 4, 2020, he delivered a breakout performance, scoring a school-record 41 points in a 92–77 win against St. Petersburg College, a moment that announced his scoring potential.
In his sophomore season, Ellis elevated his game, averaging 18.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. He set Florida SouthWestern single-season records in both points and steals, and was recognized as a Second-team NJCAA Division I All-American and the Suncoast Conference Player of the Year. After two strong seasons at the junior college level, Ellis transferred to the University of Alabama for his final two collegiate seasons, choosing the Crimson Tide over Iowa State, Kansas State, and Western Kentucky.
Keon Ellis Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
After going undrafted in the 2022 NBA draft, Ellis signed a two-way contract with the Sacramento Kings on July 2, 2022, marking the beginning of his professional career. He appeared in seven games during the 2022 NBA Summer League, averaging 11.4 points on 44.1 percent shooting from the field and an impressive 46.9 percent from three-point range, along with 3.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. Those numbers offered an early look at the two-way ability he would bring to the Kings.
Ellis spent his first season splitting time between Sacramento and the team’s G League affiliate, continuing to refine his perimeter defense and outside shooting. His work during that developmental period helped him earn a return to the organization on another two-way contract signed on July 2, 2023.
Sacramento Kings Breakthrough (2023–2024)
On February 9, 2024, Ellis signed a multi-year contract with the Sacramento Kings, a significant milestone in his professional journey. He soon delivered some of the most memorable performances of his young career, including a career-high 26 points on April 9, 2024, in a loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Just over a week later, on April 17, 2024, Ellis helped the Kings secure a play-in tournament victory over the Golden State Warriors, contributing 15 points, five assists, four rebounds, three steals, and three blocks in one of the most complete games of his career.
Sacramento Kings Era (2024–Present)
Ellis continued to expand his role with the Kings during the 2024–25 season. On November 18, 2024, he set a new career high with 33 points and knocked down nine three-pointers in a loss against the Atlanta Hawks, further cementing his reputation as a sharpshooting perimeter threat. His growing confidence from beyond the arc, combined with his defensive activity, has made him a reliable contributor in Sacramento’s rotation.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ellis is widely regarded as a perimeter defender with the size and length to disrupt opposing guards and wings. At 6 feet 4 inches tall, he pairs active hands with quick feet, allowing him to generate steals and deflections at a high rate. Offensively, he has developed into a reliable three-point shooter, capable of stretching defenses when spaced across the perimeter.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Ellis’s career are his school-record 41-point outburst at Florida SouthWestern, his back-to-back Class 6A state championships at Leesburg High School, and his career-high 33-point performance against the Atlanta Hawks in November 2024. His multi-year contract with the Kings in February 2024 stands as another major milestone, reflecting the organization’s belief in his long-term potential.
Keon Ellis Career Wins
Keon Tyrese Ellis has built a résumé highlighted by team and individual success at multiple levels. He won back-to-back Class 6A state championships at Leesburg High School and earned All-Conference and All-American recognition during his time at Florida SouthWestern before reaching the NBA.
College and High School Highlights
At Florida SouthWestern, Ellis was named Second-team All-Suncoast Conference as a freshman, Second-team NJCAA Division I All-American as a sophomore, and Suncoast Player of the Year in 2020. He also earned First-team All-Suncoast honors in 2020 and set program single-season records in points and steals. At Alabama, he was selected to the SEC All-Defensive Team in 2022.
NBA Performances
In the NBA, Ellis has notched multiple career scoring highs with the Sacramento Kings, including 26 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 9, 2024, and 33 points against the Atlanta Hawks on November 18, 2024. He also delivered a standout all-around performance in the 2024 play-in tournament win over the Golden State Warriors.
Keon Ellis Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ellis’s older brother, Antwon Clayton, played college basketball for Jacksonville before turning professional, giving the family a deep connection to the sport.
Personal Life
Keon Tyrese Ellis is a United States citizen who was raised in Eustis, Florida. Public information about his personal relationships and family life outside of basketball remains limited.
2025 Season Performance
Keon Tyrese Ellis entered the 2025 portion of the NBA calendar as an established role player for the Sacramento Kings, coming off a strong finish to the previous season. His career-high 33-point performance against the Atlanta Hawks in November 2024 served as a springboard, and he continued to provide spacing and perimeter defense during the early months of 2025. With his multi-year contract secured, Ellis has played with the confidence of a player who knows he belongs in the league.
Throughout the 2024–25 season, Ellis has remained a steady contributor off the bench, knocking down three-pointers at a high rate and using his length to bother opposing perimeter scorers. His growth as a shooter has opened up Sacramento’s offense, while his defensive activity has helped the Kings maintain intensity on that end of the floor. Coaches have praised his work ethic and willingness to embrace a team-first role.
Looking ahead, Ellis is positioned to remain a key piece of Sacramento’s rotation as the Kings pursue another postseason berth. Continued development as a secondary ball-handler and playmaker could elevate his game even further and solidify his long-term place with the franchise.