NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State head men's basketball coach Robert Jones continues to attack the transfer portal this offseason, signing former Valparaiso forward Devon Ellis on Friday.
 
A 6-7 forward with unmatched athleticism, Ellis returns to the MEAC after facing competition from the Missouri Valley Conference at Valparaiso, previously playing at Maryland Eastern Shore.
 
Ellis averaged 4.8 points and 2.6 rebounds for the Beacons last year in 12.2 minutes per game, appearing in 27 contests with eight starts. He recorded a season-best 19 points against Cleveland State, just a few days after producing a 16-point, nine-rebound performance against Concordia.
 
Showcasing an impressive vertical leap, Ellis knows how to attack the rim with speed and strength. He threw down a poster dunk against Northern Illinois in a 12-point effort, earning the No. 1 spot on SportsCenter's Top 10 plays on ESPN that evening.
 
Ellis played his first year of Division I basketball at Maryland Eastern Shore in 2023-24, averaging 11.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game while shooting 49.8 percent from the floor. He scored a career high 22 points against Queens, matching that output later in the season at Morgan State.
 
Starting his collegiate career at State Fair Community College, Ellis enjoyed a breakout season. The Schamburg, Illinois native earned first team all-region, first team all-conference, and academic all-conference honors during the 2022-23 season.
 
Ellis played one season at Link Year Prep in Branson, Mo., competing on a talented roster that saw 11 of 14 players reach the NCAA Division I level.
 
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