Texas Tech University Athletics
Ellis Among Finalists for USA Basketball Roster
July 01, 1999 | Men's Basketball
July 1, 1999
LUBBOCK, Texas - USA Basketball announced today that Texas Tech freshman center Andy Ellis has been added to the list of finalists for the 1999 USA Basketball Mens Junior World Championship Team. Ellis joins South Floridas B.B. Waldon and North Carolinas Jason Parker as late additions to the roster after three other finalists withdrew for various personal reasons. The Tech freshman was among 29 invitees vying for the 16 finalist positions.
"Its a great honor to be asked back and Im excited," Ellis said. "It never hurts to have a little luck. If I make this one, then Im there."
Ellis earned Big 12 All-Freshman Team honors this season after averaging nine points and 4.9 rebounds per game. He connected on 47.4 percent of his shots from the field and was one of the teams top free throw shooters at 70.3 percent. Ellis also blocked 18 shots. His biggest outings came against Texas and Oklahoma. Ellis went 6-for-6 from the field and 4-for-4 from the foul line for 16 points against the Longhorns and scored a career-high 22 points Colorado. He posted a career-high 12 rebounds against Kansas to go along with 12 points for his first career double-double.
"Andy is certainly one of the most promising freshmen in the country," Tech head coach James Dickey said. "He had an outstanding freshman season, especially considering he suffered an early setback because of his knee injury last summer. I feel Andy will be a special player at Texas Tech. The USA Basketball opportunity is a tremendous honor to represent our country, face quality competition and improve his game."
1999 USA Basketball Men's Junior World Championship Finalist Michael Bauer, Minnesota* Steve Blake, Maryland* Matt Carroll, Notre Dame* Nick Collison, Kansas* Keyon Dooling, Missouri Andy Ellis, Texas Tech Adam Hall, Virginia Casey Jacobsen, Stanford* Steve Lepore, Northwestern Steve Logan, Cincinnati Jason Parker, North Carolina* Bobby Simmons, DePaul B.B. Waldon, South Florida Chris Williams, Virginia Lance Williams, DePaul Michael Wright, Arizona *Indicates the school a player has signed a national letter-of-intent to attend in 1999-2000
