By Joe Henricksen
In this day of searching here, there and everywhere for quality big men at all levels, Division II Lewis University has secured yet another talent with size.
Coach Scott Trost landed a commitment from 6-8 Jared Ellis of downstate Marion to add to a stable of big men recruits that will join the Flyers program next fall.
In addition to Ellis, Trost will welcome other in-state prospects in Hoops Report sleeper Kyle Nelson, a 6-8 big man from St. Charles North, and developing 6-8 Brad Foster of Lincoln-Way Central. Paul Baumgart, a skilled 6-7 forward from Canton, Mich., and 6-7 David Heckman, a third-team Indianapolis all-city performer at Roncalli High School, are also in the fold.
The group of Ellis, Nelson, Foster, Baumgart and Heckman gives Lewis five talented players with upside and versatility who are 6-7 or bigger in this 2012 recruiting class. Both Nelson and Ellis are ranked among the top 50 prospects in the Hoops Report’s Class of 2012 player rankings in Illinois.
Ellis, who averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds a game for Marion this past season, made a visit to Lewis this past weekend and committed. He is a long, active and athletic big who plays hard and brings a ton of energy to the floor.
