NEW YORK -- Brooklyn Nets guard Keon Ellis is heading into his fifth season in the NBA after going undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft following a four-year collegiate career that ended with his team at the University of Alabama. Brooklyn signed Ellis in part due to his ability to be an effective point-of-attack defender, but he also has an opportunity to affect the offense more than at any point in his career.
"I think when you're starting, the ball does just find you more. Obviously, the opportunity is there [in Brooklyn] a little bit more as well," Ellis said when asked about his being more involved offensively under head coach Jordi Fernandez. Ellis began his career with the Sacramento Kings and his breakout came during the 2024-25 campaign when he averaged 8.3 points and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 48.9% from the field and 43.3% from behind the three-point line.
"So, I think that's really all it is. I don't think it's like I'm out there and we're necessarily calling plays for me and things like that," Ellis continued. "I just think the the opportunity is there. It's been there at times in my career, too. So, we'll see what it looks like this year in the season. In the preseason, obviously, starting all games, the opportunity is just there. So, I just got to take advantage."
Ellis, 26, is coming off a 2025-26 season in which he averaged 6.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 44.0% from the floor and 36.3% from deep for the Kings and Cleveland Cavaliers. Ellis was more involved in his 29 games with the Cavaliers as he averaged 24.8 minutes per game, but the playoffs saw Cleveland go away from him when they needed production.
Ultimately, Ellis signed with the Nets this offseason on a two-year, $18 million deal in which the second year is a mutual option, meaning that he could return to Brooklyn next year if he chooses. Ellis looks like he'll be in a position to show what he can do on both ends of the floor, at least in the early going, and he seems to understand that he could be getting more offensive opportunities as well.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets guard Keon Ellis discusses opportunity with new-look roster