El Ellis makes massive decision regarding future at Louisville

Kenny Payne got another big victory at Louisville on Thursday. El Ellis is coming back for another year.

With the coaching change, questions rose about which players would enter the transfer portal. The Cardinals have two players — Gabe Wiznitzer and Samuell Williamson — in the portal, but got another big piece to come back on Wednesday in Sydney Curry. Now, Payne has Ellis back in the fold, as well.

Card Nation My Loyalty Run’s Deep❤️ pic.twitter.com/08PsWSqh4u

— 𝓔𝓵 𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓰𝓲𝓮 (@elellis3) March 31, 2022

Ellis is coming off his first season at Louisville after transferring from Tallahassee (Fla.) Community College. In 2021-22, he ranked third on Louisville’s roster with 8.7 points per game in 32 appearances, including nine starts. But at the JUCO level, Ellis averaged 17.7 points and 4.3 assists per game while shooting 41.7% from the field as a sophomore. That shows what he can do, and how Payne could use him as he assesses his new roster.

Louisville had an eventful 2021-22 season. The university parted ways with Chris Mack mid-season and moved Mike Pegues to interim head coach for the rest of the year. The Cardinals finished 13-19 overall and 6-14 in ACC action before moving to hire former Louisville great Payne this offseason.

Louisville hires alumnus Kenny Payne as next head coach

Louisville made it official March 18. Kenny Payne is the Cardinals’ new men’s basketball coach.

Louisville announced Payne is signing a six-year contract through the 2027-28 season in a press release. The university board approved the terms Friday morning, and it’s a return to college after spending two full seasons in the NBA with the New York Knicks. Payne previously served as an assistant at Kentucky from 2010-20, rising from assistant coach to associate head coach from 2014-20.

“I want to thank President Gonzalez and [athletic director] Josh Heird for this incredible opportunity to return to a place that means so much to me to lead our storied basketball program,” Payne said in a statement. “While there are challenges, I see opportunities, and if we are united and aligned, there is nothing that we cannot accomplish.

“Our fans and community deserve a championship basketball program fueled by exceptional and high-character student-athletes, and it is my responsibility to deliver on that vision. I cannot wait to get started.”

Payne played at Louisville from 1985-89 and had an 11-year professional basketball career, including a stint with the Philadelphia 76ers, before diving into coaching. As a player, he helped the Cardinals to the 1986 national title. He got his coaching start at Oregon from 2004-09 before joining forces with John Calipari at Kentucky. While there, he was part of another national championship in 2012.

Now, after a stint in the NBA, he’s heading back to his alma mater to take over his first college head coaching job. He’ll replace Chris Mack, who left the program earlier this season.