CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Keon Ellis joined the Cavs just a few weeks ago and has already made a huge impact on both ends of the court.
Coming from Sacramento, who were dead last in the West, to one of the Eastern Conference’s best, the excitement was felt. The first thing Keon Ellis thought about when he found out he was headed to Cleveland?
Well, it wasn’t basketball, it was the weather.
“I think the first thing I thought of was just the weather like man that’s that cold every day.”
February in Northeast Ohio isn’t Florida. But once he arrived, it wasn’t the cold that made the biggest impression.
“When I walked into the practice facility, it reminded me of my pre-draft workout. I had memories coming back from that and was just excited to be in a different space and learn everything new that’s going on.”
Ellis walked into a new city, new system and the first trade of his NBA career. But there was no panic, no ego, only perspective.
“Control what I can control. Do what I do, and then you know everything else will be figured out by whoever it needs to be figured out by. So, you know, and whatever in life, like I literally just do my job.”
That mindset defines his game. He’s known for defense, hustle, and winning plays — and he’s completely comfortable not being the loudest name in the box score.
That role clarity didn’t happen overnight. At Alabama, Ellis realized defense would be his ticket to staying on the floor and eventually staying in the NBA.
“One game, we had one of our stars out. I started and had a good game. Then our coach came up to me and showed me the stats of the other team’s star player and the defensive game I played against him. From that moment on, I started thinking, ‘Oh, you know, this might have to be my role.’”
From that moment on, everything changed. Now he’s buying into a system under Head Coach Kenny Atkinson who Ellis defines as simple, detailed, and still active in drills.
“He keeps things real simple, even throws in some jokes, like correcting guys or whatever it is. He gave me an assist today. He was definitely just in the back of the line, and I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m going next.’ So I’m like, ‘All right, bet.’”
A coach who’s dishing out assists, the defense rolling, and the pieces starting to come together. With that, Ellis believes this roster has what it takes.
“We have the stars, we have the offense, we have the defense, and you know, we have guys that are gonna fly around and make plays.”
And Cavaliers fans? They made their expectations clear before he even unpacked.
“People were at the airport coming up to me like, ‘You know, glad to have you on the team. We’re really trying to win. Hope you guys do well this year.’”
Ellis defines himself as a simple guy who thrives as a defensive anchor with a championship mentality. A guy that isn’t trying to be flashy but effective.
And for the Cavaliers? That might be exactly what they need.
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