Mike Ellis (born 27 July 1958) is an Australian former basketball player who captained the Perth Wildcats of the National Basketball League (NBL) for the club's first 11 seasons, and helped guide them to two championships in 1990 and 1991. Ellis' No. 6 jersey was retired by both the Wildcats and his junior association, the Warwick Senators.
 Ellis in January 2023 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 27 July 1958 Perth, Western Australia, Australia |
| Listed height | 183 cm (6 ft 0 in) |
| Listed weight | 85 kg (187 lb) |
| Career information | |
| Playing career | 1982–1997 |
| Position | Point guard |
| Number | 6 |
| Coaching career | 1998–present |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1982–1992 | Perth Wildcats |
| 1993–1994 | Swan City Mustangs |
| 1995–1997 | Stirling Senators |
| As coach: | |
| 1998–2003 | Perth Wildcats (assistant) |
| 1999–2001 | Stirling Senators |
| 2003–2004 | Perth Wildcats |
| 2016–2021 | Stirling/Warwick Senators |
| Career highlights and awards | |
As player:
As coach:
| |
Career
editPerth Wildcats
editEllis played his entire NBL career with the Perth Wildcats, beginning with the club in their inaugural season in 1982 and captained the side every year until his final season in 1992. He helped the team win championships in 1990 and 1991.[1] In 302 career games, Ellis averaged 12.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game.[2]
Between 1998 and 2003, Ellis served as an assistant coach with the Wildcats.[3][4] He was elevated to head coach for the 2003–04 season, but was sacked after one season.[5]
Ellis was named in the Wildcats' 30th Anniversary All-Star team.[6]
Stirling/Warwick Senators
editEllis began playing for the Stirling Basketball Association in 1974 in the pre State Basketball League (SBL) competition and was a member of the club's first premiership team the following year. In the early 1980s, Ellis averaged over 30 points per game for five consecutive seasons for the Senators.[7] After a two-year stint with the Swan City Mustangs (1993–94), Ellis played a further three seasons with the Senators between 1995 and 1997.[8]
Following his retirement,[7] Ellis served as head coach of the Senators men's team between 1999 and 2001, earning SBL Coach of the Year honours in 2000.[9]
Ellis returned to coach the Senators men's team between 2016 and 2021,[10][11] winning the West Coast Classic in 2020.[9]
In August 2021, Ellis was inducted into the Basketball WA Hall of Fame.[12]
Personal life
editEllis' father, Gordon, coached him at the Perth Wildcats in 1983. Gordon died four years later.[13] Two of Ellis' brothers, Glenn and Brett, also played for the Perth Wildcats. Both of them also played in the SBL for the Swan City Mustangs and Stirling Senators. Ellis also has a third brother, Stephen, and has a wife named Robyn. Ellis and his wife have two sons, Cody and Skyler.[14]
References
edit- ^ "Perth Wildcats - Mike Ellis 30th Anniversary Story - Ten News". YouTube. Perth Wildcats. 10 October 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
- ^ Player statistics for Mike Ellis
- ^ Ellis favoured as Perth sacks Black
- ^ New coach Ellis predicts Wildcats' 're-birth'
- ^ Fisher to take over the helm at Perth
- ^ "30th Anniversary All-Star Team". Wildcats.com.au. 4 February 2013. Archived from the original on 11 December 2013. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
- ^ a b Senators to honour #6 Mike Ellis
- ^ SKYWEST BASKETBALL LEAGUE: MEN – All time Players
- ^ a b "GREAT SENSE OF PRIDE FOR ELLIS TO BRING SUCCESS TO SENATORS". sbl.asn.au. 13 October 2020. Archived from the original on 6 February 2022.
- ^ Mike Ellis appointed as High Performance Director
- ^ "NBL1 Men's Head Coach Appointment 2022". warwicksenators.com.au. 22 September 2021. Archived from the original on 22 September 2021.
- ^ O'Donoghue, Craig (13 August 2021). "Basketball WA's Hall of Fame to induct 11 people including Luc Longley, Andrew Vlahov and Mike Ellis". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024.
- ^ Perth Wildcats legends Mike and Glenn Ellis return for anniversary clash
- ^ Walshaw, Nick (2 January 2014). "Cody Ellis rushing to make NBL debut and help Kings after six-month absence from basketball". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
