Virginia-based Ellison Has Taken His Game To New Places

Ron Bailey, Publisher

June 14, 2006 – Historically, Northern Virginia has been undervalued in terms of producing talented players in the Washington, DC area. It’s not that good ballers haven’t come out of the northern most region of the Commonwealth, as they have – it’s just that in terms of sheer numbers, the more have been produced in Maryland and D.C.

There is presently a 6’4”, 180lb senior swingman from Alexandria, VA that has recently burst upon the scene, in D.C., and nationally. Meet Tim Ellison.

Ellison shared during May's Triple Threat Shootout, that last season at Edison High School (Alexandria, VA) “I was just a role player for the team and everything” while averaging "probably 10 points, five rebounds, and three assists” per contest. His duties on that talented team, which was coached for the first year by Frank McMillan, was to function as a defensive player and supply energy to the Edison attack.

This summer, Tim has started to take his game to a new level, in part due to playing AAU ball with Baltimore’s Team Melo 17 and under AAU team. His journey up I-95 (or for many, the Baltimore-Washington Parkway) to the Charm City started with a referral by several local coaches, including an Edison assistant.

Ellison still works out individually in Virginia, primarily at the Lee District sporting facility in Alexandria and at Edison, but believes playing with Team Melo has done and will do much to speed not only his development, but also level of exposure. “It can help me out a lot more with the offensive end of the game, take it out to a different level” said Tim. “It can also help with my defense, so I can bring it back to Edison”.

Tim went on to praise the Team Melo experience, further, stating “I think it has been a great move, because I noticed in the first day of practice their different style of play from Virginia’s style of play”. When pressed to supply a contrast between the two areas, Ellison responded “I know for one thing it’s a lot faster (in B’More)…the athletes are great…they really jump out the gym”.

At the Shootout (click here for coverage), the Alexandria product displayed a good spot up shooting touch, past three-point land, excellent athleticism, an ability to find the open man, and of course a penchant to lock up foes defensively. Though he didn’t’ start, Tim played a key role in Team Melo advancing to the tournament’s title game.

Ellison is shown here competing at the Triple Threat Shootout in May. Thoughout the event, Tim displayed energy, a good shooting touch, defensive prowess, and unselfishness. His game is poised to take off.

The squad has also played in other extremely competitive tournaments, including The Nike Memorial Day Classic, held during that holiday, in Nashville, TN (click here for coverage). Ellison guessitmated his statistical averages for that event at “10 points, about three assists, about four rebounds”, while competing against “a lot of good teams down there”.

Team Melo, is happy to have him. Carlton ‘Bubb’ Carrington, a long time coach in that organization recently indicated Tim “fits in great”, and that his shooting ability, unselfishness, and “great attitude” are more than welcome.

The young guys of Team Melo embraced Ellison from the beginning, as witnessed by that team’s probable All-American, Donte Greene offering words that lifted his confidence early on. The guys even ribbed him about go-go music – continuing the good natured rivalry between the D.C. and Baltimore areas, which includes not only whose basketball is best, but music as well. Ellison would say “It’s like a family” when asked about his AAU team’s environment.

Tim went on to laud Team Melo’s 17 and under coach, Darrel Corbett. “He’s real cool. He’s really helped expand my game” he said. This entails “helping me get into the overall game”.

During a recent Nike Pro City summer league game with Edison, the effects of playing with Team Melo were evident. While the Eagles would lose to Gonzaga 39-28, Tim’s play stood out, as did his level of physicality – it was clear that the contact and aggression he had become used to competing with and against was not shared by all the game’s participants.

Edison’s coach, Frank McMillan, welcomes the changes in Ellison’s play, though in typical coach-fashion, desires more. According to McMillan, who is poised to lead Edison to a very successful season in his second year at the school, “He needs to turn it up. He needs to show it each and every time”.

Regarding exposure, it’s starting to come, and again Team Melo is playing an instrumental role. Before playing there, he had no real looks, but now in just half a summer, Marist has offered a scholarship. He plans to unofficially visit the school soon, and knowing that a Division I college values him is gratifying, acknowledging “All the hard work is paying off”.

All along, he has received sage advice from his father, Leon Ellison, who knew offers would come. “My dad played football for Ohio State, and told me to keep working, keep playing, and keep your head up”, Ellison said.

Tim is in no hurry to commit, stating “I’m going to weigh my options”. It’s not surprising; given the length of time it took for him to get college looks. But they have, and there should be no looking back for him.

Check back with i95Ballerz.com for updates on Ellison’s recruitment and progress.

Tim Ellison, a rising force in Northern Virginia (NOVA) hoops