By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Ellis honored as national player of year
Placeholder Image

The honors keep flowing in for Perry Ellis.

Ellis, who led Wichita Heights to four straight Class 6A state basketball championships, has been named as the National High School Coaches Association senior basketball player of the year.

Ellis, a 6-foot-8, 220-pound forward, played in the McDonald’s All-America game in March after wrapping up a star-studded career at Heights. He was a four-time Gatorade player of the year, rewarded to the state’s top player.

Ellis, who has signed to play for the University of Kansas, averaged 25.8 points and 9.4 rebounds during his senior season with the Falcons. Ellis set a Wichita City League scoring record with 2,231 career points, eclipsing Greg Dreiling’s 31-year-old record of 1,888 points.

Dreiling, a 7-1, 250-pound center, starred at Wichita Kapaun-Mt. Carmel High School and played his first two years in college at hometown Wichita State before transferring to Kansas and playing on the Jayhawks' 1986 Final Four team.

Dreiling spent 10 seasons in the National Basketball Association, including his first seven with the Indiana Pacers.