South Carolina basketball commitment continues to shine despite ESPN rankings snub

Last week, ESPN and analyst Paul Biancardi updated their top-100 rankings for the high school basketball class of 2025. There was some movement in the class, but there was no major shake-up. The lack of change was part of the problem, however, as South Carolina basketball commitment Eli Ellis is still nowhere to be found in the top-100 from the "worldwide leader."

Ellis, a consensus 4-star prospect, is in the top-100 for the other three major recruiting services (On3, 247Sports, and Rivals) and is all the way up to #57 nationally according to 247Sports.

ESPN, though, continues to snub the North Carolina product.

Ellis, for his part, seems undeterred. He has had a good showing on the summer circuit, backing up his OvertimeElite MVP. On day 1 of the BigShots 17U Slam this weekend, Ellis led all players in scoring with 28 points per game.

Even before the rankings update went live, Ellis was having a great showing this summer. At Donovan Mitchell's Spida Elite Camp and at the 3 Stripes Select Basketball Showcase, Ellis was among the top overall performers despite playing against some names positioned higher than him in the rankings.

Listed at 6'0" or 6'1" and under 190 pounds, Ellis doesn't have elite size. He also isn't an explosive athlete. However, he is one of the most skilled high school players in the country, and his elite shot-making and crafty ballhandling allow him to score against any defense put in front of him.

Ellis has played both guard spots during his high school career, and because of his ability to find open teammates (especially after breaking down his defender and getting into the lane), he could get minutes at point guard as a true freshman with the Gamecocks in the 2025-2026 season. The presumed top-2 at the position for this year are Jamarii Thomas and Jacobi Wright, and both players are seniors.

If point guard isn't where South Carolina basketball coach Lamont Paris wants Ellis, he can be an excellent secondary creator at shooting guard, and he has the scoring chops to hold his own at the position. His shooting gravity away from the ball should open up the offense for the players around him, as well.

In other words, the future is bright for Eli Ellis, no matter what ESPN's rankings say or don't say about him.

Ellis is one of three players committed to the South Carolina basketball program in the class of 2025 as 4-star versatile forward EJ Walker and former 4-star power forward Hayden Assemian are also pledged to the Gamecocks. All three prospects are considered top-150 players in the '25 cycle by On3.