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Monta Ellis’ Jersey Retired at Lanier High School

November 12, 2021

Monta Ellis Monta Ellis Monta Ellis Monta Ellis
       
Monta Ellis Monta Ellis Monta Ellis Crowd at Lanier High School
       

Monta Ellis’ #11 jersey was retired during a brief ceremony before the Provine and Lanier Boys’ Basketball game on Thursday, November 11th. Fans packed Lanier High School’s gymnasium to witness the unveiling of the now-retired jersey and to hear remarks from the 833 legend himself – Monta Ellis. “It’s an honor and a blessing! I always pictured my jersey being retired, and it just shows the appreciation and the work that I put in,” Ellis said during an interview after the ceremony. “Being a little boy down the street and coming to see my brother play and watching Coach [Billups] coach in the old gym, I always wanted to play for Lanier… coming from Georgetown and being able to accomplish all of the things I have accomplished is amazing. And it all started right here.” Monta Ellis, aka “The Mississippi Missile”, is one of the best and most decorated players from Mississippi. He averaged 29 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals across 4 years as a Lanier Bulldog. Other career highlights and awards include:

• Ranked 2nd in scoring in Mississippi as a Lanier Bulldog (4,167 pts.)

• Career-high 72 pts against in-state rival Greenwood High School

• 2005 EA Sports Player of the Year

• 2005 Parade Co. Player of the Year

• 2005 Parade All-American First Team • 2005 Mr. Basketball USA

• 2005 McDonald’s All-American

• 2005 Mississippi Mr. Basketball

• 2005 USA TODAY’S All USA First Team

• First Team All-State all 4 years

• State Title 2002 & 2005

Ellis was drafted out of high school in the 2nd round as the 40th overall pick by the Golden State Warriors in 2005. Two years later, he was named the NBA's Most Improved Player. After six and a half seasons with Golden State, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in March 2012. He also played two seasons with the Dallas Mavericks and two seasons with the Indiana Pacers.

As a current free agent, there has been recent chatter about a possible return to the NBA for Monta. When asked about this after his jersey retirement ceremony, he kindly answered, “We’ll see.”