LeRoy Ellis has passed away at the age of 72 after suffering through a bout of prostate cancer. During his NBA career LeRoy spent 14 years with various teams around the league including the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers and Baltimore. Ellis was draft sixth overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1962.
During his NBA career LeRoy Ellis played in 1,048 NBA games and averaged 9.7 points and 8.3 rebounds. Ellis was also part of Los Angeles’ 1972 championship team.
Before joining the NBA LeRoy Ellis had a remarkable career at St. John’s where during his junior year he set a single-season record for rebounding with an average of 16.5, a record that still stands today. On December 30, 1961 LeRoy Ellis set another record when he grabbed 30 rebounds against New York University (NYU).
Speaking of Ellis’ athleticism former St. John’s head coach Lou Carnesecca tells Fox Sports:
”For a big guy, he was awfully quick. You can never catch him. He had a soft touch and was a good rebounder. He was a quiet guy, you never knew he was around. But when he was on the court, you always knew.”
Ellis also had the honor of playing on the Portland Trail Blazers during their inaugural 1970-1971 team, a year in which he led the Trail Blazers with 12.3 rebounds per game while averaging 15.9 points.
According to Trail Blazers founder Harry Glickman:
”LeRoy Ellis was a very important member of the first Trail Blazers team and was a very high-class individual. We extend our deepest sympathy to his family.”
Were you a fan of LeRoy Ellis during his playing days?