Wayne Robert Ellington Jr. (born November 29, 1987) is an American professional

basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appro ...

coach and former player who is a player development coach for the

Miami Heat The Miami Heat are an American professional basketball team based in Miami. The Heat compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southeast Division (NBA), Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), Eastern C ...

of the

National Basketball Association The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada). The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Ca ...

(NBA). Known for his shooting ability, he was nicknamed "the Man With The Golden Arm". He played for the

University of North Carolina The University of North Carolina is the Public university, public university system for the state of North Carolina. Overseeing the state's 16 public universities and the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, it is commonly referre ...

from 2006 to 2009. He chose to forgo his final season of college eligibility to declare for the

2009 NBA draft The 2009 NBA draft was held on June 25, 2009, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In this draft, the National Basketball Association (NBA) teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball p ...

, and was drafted 28th overall by the

Minnesota Timberwolves The Minnesota Timberwolves (often referred to as the Wolves or T-wolves) are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis. The Timberwolves compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Divisio ...

High school career

Ellington scored 2,211 points in his high school career, tallying 455 points at Daniel Boone High School, and then 1,756 points at The Episcopal Academy. In his senior year, Ellington averaged 21.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and shot 39% from the three-point line. He led Episcopal to an overall record of 52–7 in his junior and senior year, and to the Inter-Academic League Conference title in his last two years going 20–0 in both seasons. (Episcopal doesn't play in state championships.) Considered a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Ellington was listed as the No. 1 shooting guard and the No. 8 player in the nation in 2006.

College career

Ellington played in all 38 games for the ACC Champion Tar Heels in 2006–07, averaging 11.7 points per game. He was named to the 2007 ACC All-Tournament Team. His season ended on a sour note though, as North Carolina lost to Georgetown in the East Regional final of the NCAA Tournament. He had a chance to win the game in regulation, but missed a 3-pointer in the final seconds. Ellington was a member of the U.S. national team that finished fifth at the

2007 Pan American Games The 2007 Pan American Games, officially known as the XV Pan American Games () and commonly known as Rio 2007, were a major Americas, continental multi-sport event that took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 13 to 29, 2007. A total of ...

. As a sophomore, Ellington saw his points-per-game average increase as the Tar Heels increasingly went to him in key moments of games. In the January 6, 2008, game at Clemson, Ellington scored a career high 36 points, including the game winning three-pointer with 0:00.4 seconds left in overtime to lead top-rated UNC over #19 Clemson 90–88. But again, his season ended in a poor fashion, as he shot only 1 for 9 from three-point range, in a loss to Kansas in a national semifinal game in the NCAA Tournament. He declared for the

2008 NBA draft The 2008 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2008, at the The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Washington Mutual Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this NBA draft, draft, National Basketball Association (NBA) teams took t ...

after that season, but did not hire an

agent Agent may refer to: Espionage, investigation, and law *, spies or intelligence officers * Law of agency, laws involving a person authorized to act on behalf of another ** Agent of record, a person with a contractual agreement with an insuran ...

, and withdrew to play his junior year at North Carolina. As a Junior, Ellington helped lead the Tar Heels to the

National Championship A national championship(s) is the top achievement for any sport or competition, contest within a league of a particular nation or nation state. The title is usually awarded by contests, ranking systems, stature, ability, etc. This determines the be ...

, where they defeated the Michigan State Spartans 89–72. He shot 7–10 from three-point range in the Final Four, and he was named to the All-Tournament Team and was named

NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player The Most Outstanding Player (MOP) is awarded to one player after the conclusion of the championship game of the NCAA Division I NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, men's and NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament, women's basketb ...

. During his college career, Ellington averaged 14.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. On April 23, 2009, Ellington announced that he would forgo his senior season and enter the

NBA draft The NBA draft is the National Basketball Association's (NBA) annual event, dating back to 1947 BAA draft, 1947, in which the teams in the league can Draft (sports), draft players who declare for the draft and that are Eligibility for the NBA dr ...

Professional career

Minnesota Timberwolves (2009–2012)

Ellington was drafted 28th overall by the

in the

. He averaged 6.6 points per game and 2.1 rebounds per game in his rookie season off of the bench.

Memphis Grizzlies (2012–2013)

On July 24, 2012, Ellington was traded to the

Memphis Grizzlies The Memphis Grizzlies (referred to locally as the Grizz) are an American professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee. The Grizzlies compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division of the ...

for forward Dante Cunningham. On November 11, 2012, Ellington scored a career-high 25 points on 7-of-11 three-pointers in a 104–96 win over the

. On January 7, 2013, he set a new career high with 26 points in a 113–81 win over the

Sacramento Kings The Sacramento Kings are an American professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California. The Kings compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division (NBA), Pacific Division of the Western Confere ...

Cleveland Cavaliers (2013)

On January 22, 2013, Ellington was traded to the

Cleveland Cavaliers The Cleveland Cavaliers, often referred to as the Cavs, are an American professional basketball team based in Cleveland. The Cavaliers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Divis ...

along with Marreese Speights, Josh Selby and a future first round draft pick for forward Jon Leuer.

Dallas Mavericks (2013–2014)

On July 26, 2013, Ellington signed with the

Dallas Mavericks The Dallas Mavericks (often referred to as the Mavs) are an American professional basketball team based in Dallas. The Mavericks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Divisi ...

Los Angeles Lakers (2014–2015)

On June 25, 2014, Ellington, along with Shane Larkin, José Calderón, Samuel Dalembert and two 2014 second-round picks, was traded to the

New York Knicks The New York Knickerbockers, shortened and more commonly referred to as the New York Knicks, are an American professional basketball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Manhattan. The Knicks compete in the Na ...

in exchange for Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton. On August 6, 2014, he was traded again, this time to the

, along with Jeremy Tyler and a 2016 second round pick, in exchange for Quincy Acy and Travis Outlaw. On September 3, 2014, he was waived by the Kings. On September 22, 2014, Ellington signed with the

Los Angeles Lakers The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Lakers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division (NBA), Pacific Division of the Western Conference (NBA ...

. On November 11, 2014, he took an indefinite leave of absence from the Lakers after his father was shot and killed in Philadelphia. He returned to action on November 21, 2014. On January 27, 2015, he scored a career-high 28 points in a 98–92 loss to the

Washington Wizards The Washington Wizards are an American professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C. The Wizards compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference. The team plays i ...

. He finished the season having played 65 games after being ruled out for the rest of the season on April 2, 2015, with a shoulder injury.

Brooklyn Nets (2015–2016)

On July 10, 2015, Ellington signed with the

Brooklyn Nets The Brooklyn Nets are an American professional basketball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Brooklyn. The Nets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NBA), ...

. On December 28, 2015, he scored a season-high 26 points and tied a career high with seven made three-pointers in a 111–105 win over the Miami Heat. On April 27, 2016, Ellington was named recipient of the 2015–16 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award as selected by the Pro Basketball Writers Association (PBWA).

Miami Heat (2016–2019)

On July 10, 2016, Ellington signed with the

. He made his debut for the Heat on November 28, 2016, against the

Boston Celtics The Boston Celtics ( ) are an American professional basketball team based in Boston. The Celtics compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NBA), Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), ...

after missing the first 16 games of the season with a bruised thigh; he played 27 minutes and scored nine points. On December 22, 2017, Ellington tied a career high with 28 points and had a career-high eight 3-pointers in a 113–101 win over the

. On March 21, 2018, in a 119–98 win over the

, Ellington hit his 200th 3-pointer of the season, making him the third Heat player with that many in a season, joining Damon Jones (225) and Tim Hardaway Sr. (203). In the Heat's regular season finale on April 11, 2018, Ellington scored a career-high 32 points while setting Miami's single-season record for 3-pointers, as the Heat wrapped up the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs by beating the

Toronto Raptors The Toronto Raptors are a Canadian professional basketball team based in Toronto. The Raptors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NBA), Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), E ...

116–109 in overtime. Ellington needed six 3-pointers in the finale to beat the record of 225 that Jones set in the 2004–05 season. He finished the season with 227. On July 13, 2018, Ellington re-signed with the Heat. On February 6, 2019, Ellington was traded, along with Tyler Johnson, to the

Phoenix Suns The Phoenix Suns are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division (NBA), Pacific Division of the Western Conference (NBA), We ...

in exchange for Ryan Anderson. He was waived by the Suns the following day.

Detroit Pistons (2019)

On February 9, 2019, Ellington signed with the

Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), East ...

New York Knicks (2019–2020)

On July 9, 2019, Ellington signed with the

. He made his debut for the team on October 23, 2019, scoring three points in a 111–120 loss to the

San Antonio Spurs The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio. The Spurs compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Division of the Western Conference (NBA ...

. On February 8, 2020, Ellington logged a season-high 17 points, alongside five rebounds and three assists, in a 95–92 win over the

. On November 19, 2020, the Knicks waived Ellington.

Return to the Pistons (2020–2021)

On December 2, 2020, Ellington signed with the Pistons. On March 3, 2021, he scored a season-high 25 points, alongside two steals, in a 129–105 win over the

Return to the Lakers (2021–2022)

On August 6, 2021, Ellington signed with the

. On April 10, 2022, he scored a season-high 18 points in a 146–141 overtime win over the

Denver Nuggets The Denver Nuggets are an American professional basketball team based in Denver. The Nuggets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division (NBA), Northwest Division of the Western Conference (NBA), W ...

Coaching career

On September 29, 2023, the

hired Ellington as a player development coach.

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

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Minnesota Minnesota ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Upper Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario to the north and east and by the U.S. states of Wisconsin to the east, Iowa to the so ...

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, 62 , , 8 , , 19.0 , , .403 , , .397 , , .792 , , 1.7 , , 1.2 , , .5 , , .0 , , 6.6 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 51 , , 4 , , 19.1 , , .404 , , .324 , , .800 , , 1.9 , , .6 , , .5 , , .2 , , 6.1 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", Memphis , 40 , , 4 , , 16.9 , , .407 , , .423 , , .938 , , 1.3 , , 1.1 , , .4 , , .0 , , 5.5 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

Cleveland Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County. Located along the southern shore of Lake Erie, it is situated across the Canada–U.S. maritime border and approximately west of the Ohio-Pennsylvania st ...

, 38 , , 17 , , 25.9 , , .439 , , .371 , , .898 , , 3.0 , , 1.6 , , .8 , , .1 , , 10.4 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

Dallas Dallas () is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of Texas metropolitan areas, most populous metropolitan area in Texas and the Metropolitan statistical area, fourth-most ...

, 45 , , 1 , , 8.7 , , .437 , , .424 , , .909 , , 1.0 , , .4 , , .4 , , .0 , , 3.2 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", L.A. Lakers , 65 , , 36 , , 25.8 , , .412 , , .370 , , .813 , , 3.2 , , 1.6 , , .5 , , .0 , , 10.0 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

Brooklyn Brooklyn is a Boroughs of New York City, borough of New York City located at the westernmost end of Long Island in the New York (state), State of New York. Formerly an independent city, the borough is coextensive with Kings County, one of twelv ...

, 76, , 41 , , 21.3 , , .389 , , .358 , , .857 , , 2.3 , , 1.1 , , .6 , , .1 , , 7.7 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

Miami Miami is a East Coast of the United States, coastal city in the U.S. state of Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, Florida, Miami-Dade County in South Florida. It is the core of the Miami metropolitan area, which, with a populat ...

, 62 , , 13 , , 24.2 , , .416 , , .378 , , .860 , , 2.1 , , 1.1 , , .6 , , .1 , , 10.5 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 77 , , 2 , , 26.5 , , .407 , , .392 , , .859 , , 2.8 , , 1.0 , , .7 , , .1 , , 11.2 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 25 , , 12 , , 21.3 , , .375 , , .368 , , .875 , , 1.9 , , 1.2 , , 1.0 , , .1 , , 8.4 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

Detroit Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...

, 28 , , 26 , , 27.3 , , .421 , , .373 , , .758 , , 2.1 , , 1.5 , , 1.1 , , .1 , , 12.0 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York New York may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * ...

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, 46 , , 31 , , 22.0 , , .441 , , .422 , , .800 , , 1.8 , , 1.5 , , .4 , , .2 , , 9.6 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", L.A. Lakers , 43 , , 9 , , 18.8 , , .414 , , .389 , , .818 , , 1.8 , , .7 , , .5 , , .1 , , 6.7 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 770 , , 206 , , 20.9 , , .410 , , .382 , , .843 , , 2.1 , , 1.1 , , .5 , , .1 , , 8.0

Playoffs

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2014 The year 2014 was marked by the surge of the Western African Ebola epidemic, West African Ebola epidemic, which began in 2013, becoming the List of Ebola outbreaks, most widespread outbreak of the Ebola, Ebola virus in human history, resul ...

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, 2 , , 0 , , 7.0 , , .333 , , .333 , , 1.000 , , 1.0 , , 1.0 , , .0 , , .0 , , 4.0 , - , style="text-align:left;",

2018 Events January * January 1 – Bulgaria takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, after the Estonian presidency. * January 4 – SPLM-IO rebels loyal to Chan Garang Lual start a raid against Juba, capital of ...

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2019 This was the year in which the first known human case of COVID-19 was documented, preceding COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic which was declared by the World Health Organization the following year. Up to that point, 2019 had been described as ...

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, 4 , , 4 , , 32.8 , , .314 , , .318 , , 1.000 , , 3.8 , , 1.3 , , .8 , , .0 , , 7.8 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 11 , , 4 , , 22.4 , , .329 , , .362 , , 1.000 , , 2.3 , , .9 , , .5 , , .2 , , 7.1

College

, - , style="text-align:left;", 2006–07 , style="text-align:left;",

North Carolina North Carolina ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, South Carolina to the south, Georgia (U.S. stat ...

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, 39 , , 38 , , 31.1 , , .467 , , .400 , , .826 , , 4.5 , , 2.0 , , 1.1 , , .2 , , 16.6 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2008–09 , style="text-align:left;",

, 38 , , 37 , , 30.4 , , .483 , , .417 , , .777 , , 4.9 , , 2.7 , , .9 , , .2 , , 15.8 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 115 , , 112 , , 28.5 , , .463 , , .397 , , .809 , , 4.1 , , 2.2 , , .9 , , .1 , , 14.7

References

External links

*
North Carolina Tar Heels bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ellington, Wayne 1987 births Living people 20th-century African-American sportsmen 20th-century American sportsmen 21st-century African-American sportsmen American men's basketball players Basketball players at the 2007 Pan American Games Basketball players from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Brooklyn Nets players Cleveland Cavaliers players Dallas Mavericks players Detroit Pistons players Episcopal Academy alumni Los Angeles Lakers players McDonald's High School All-Americans Memphis Grizzlies players Miami Heat players Minnesota Timberwolves draft picks Minnesota Timberwolves players New York Knicks players North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball players Pan American Games basketball players for the United States Parade High School All-Americans (boys' basketball) Sportspeople from Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania Shooting guards

High school career

College career

Professional career

Minnesota Timberwolves (2009–2012)

Memphis Grizzlies (2012–2013)

Cleveland Cavaliers (2013)

Dallas Mavericks (2013–2014)

Los Angeles Lakers (2014–2015)

Brooklyn Nets (2015–2016)

Miami Heat (2016–2019)

Detroit Pistons (2019)

New York Knicks (2019–2020)

Return to the Pistons (2020–2021)

Return to the Lakers (2021–2022)

Coaching career

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

Playoffs

College

See also

References

External links