He had the right to send the famous light ray, “Light The Beam”synonymous with victory for the Kings. Keon Ellis was highlighted rather than the two leaders of the team, De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, who again played a vital role in California's success in front of the Bucks. At first glance, the stat line of the young Kings guard is nothing spectacular.
But he is one of the first players that Mike Brown speaks at a press conference. The Kings coach started him in place of Keegan Murray, who was injured in the ankle. “ Keon has been in the starting five for five games now, including four times at point guard and once at guard. And the funny thing about it is everyone keeps telling me he's not a point guard, he's not this or that. He started four games at point guard, four wins », figures Mike Brown, whose usual replacement, who played alongside De'Aaron Fox last night, has just won his 5th match as a starter.
The Californian technician had entrusted him with a delicate mission: to disrupt the superstar opposite, Damian Lillard.
A special defender in the making
“ You know, you can't stop Dame Lillard. But what he did, just make it work, for a young player, it was phenomenal to watch », Qualifies the coach who awarded the honorary title of defender of the match to Keon Ellis.
In 27 minutes, the guard contributed 7 points (3/4 on shots), 4 rebounds, 3 interceptions and 2 assists. And above all, boundless energy on a Damian Lillard in distress with his shooting (10 points at 2/12). “ He has an amazing ability to defend the pick-and-roll, he is a great help defender, weak side, he is really elusive and very quick on the ball carrier “, rightly describes the coach, whose player manages to slip between the screens without difficulty.
“ And people don't realize how long his arms are. And he has a stamina where he just keeps chasing, chasing, chasing and you need that relentless attitude if you want to be a great defender or an elite defender. He clearly has it in him », Develops Mike Brown who says he has worked with few players of this caliber.
The technician is thus convinced that Keon Ellis can become a “ special defender. We are talking about a young man who was on a two-way contract last year. I think he wasn't drafted., and I've said it in the past, I've played him, put him back, made him play, put him back… and he stays ready, consistent. So I'm happy for him, that he's raising his level of play, that we've rewarded him with a classic contract. He shows that he is more than worth what we gave him. »
| Keon Ellis | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2022-23 | BAG | 16 | 4 | 43.8 | 50.0 | 57.1 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 1.5 |
| 2023-24 | BAG | 38 | 12 | 42.5 | 37.3 | 64.7 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 3.5 |
| Total | 54 | 10 | 42.6 | 38.9 | 62.5 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 2.9 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
