Morehouse is the nation’s only historically Black men’s college and the alma mater of many famous African Americans from various backgrounds including civil rights (Martin Luther King Jr.), directing (Spike Lee), and acting (Samuel L. Jackson). Even though their athletic program is not D-1 (yet!), they also have several notable sports alumni including Donn Clendenon (1969 World Series MVP), Edwin Moses (2-time Olympic gold medalist hurdler), and John David Washington (who was a UFL running back before becoming an actor). The only Morehouse alum who played in the NBA is Harold Ellis, and he has served as director of athletics at his alma mater since 2023. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Harold about his legendary NBA debut and the success of the Maroon Tigers.
You were born/raised in Atlanta: what made you choose Morehouse? Morehouse has a history of success with young African American men: many political/business leaders in the city went here. I wanted to go to a great school, and Morehouse was at the top of my list. Academically and athletically, it was the perfect fit.
You scored 23+ PPG during each of your 4 years in college: what is the secret to being a great scorer? I could say “not playing in high school”: I only averaged 3 PPG because I sat on the bench a lot! I tell kids to go somewhere that they can play. I had the opportunity to play as a freshman, and after that I never sat down: I just wanted to become the best to ever play here.
In 1990 you made the D-2 Final 4 before losing to Bakersfield: what is the key to winning games in March? You need experience: we won our conference tourney the previous year and had a lot of veteran leaders returning to the team. This year we have an experienced group coming back who knows how to win, just like the guys we had on that 1990 team.
After going undrafted in 1992 you began your pro career with the Quad City Thunder in the CBA: at the time did you think that you could/would eventually make it to the NBA? When I came out of college I played in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament and then made it to the NBA Draft Combine. I played well enough to get drafted but did not know what route I would eventually take. My CBA coach was incredible, and trying out for the CBA was harder than making the NBA: everybody on that team ended up playing in the NBA or Europe at some point, which prepared me to make the jump.
In September of 1993 you were a member of Team USA at the Tournament of the Americas: what did it mean to you to represent your country, and what did it mean to you to win a gold medal? That was another great experience. I had low expectations going into the tryout but ended up making the team. It is rare for anyone to represent their country, much less to win a gold medal, so it was an honor/privilege. It was like a dream come true.
That fall you signed with the LA Clippers: did you see that as a validation of your CBA career, or the realization of a lifelong dream of reaching the NBA, or other? I will never forget that day: it validated all my hard work going back to high school. Signing with the Clippers was the cherry on a top and a monumental moment for both me and my family.
In your very 1st start on January 14, 1994, you scored a career-high 29 PTS/11-14 FG in a 7-PT win at Boston: what are your memories of what sounds like the best night of your life? Imagine being in the starting lineup in the Boston Garden after growing up as a Larry Bird fan. Right before the game I learned that Bird was officially retiring because his back finally gave out but just seeing him in person was great. I got to dunk on Robert Parish and was named Coors Light Player of the Game! It was a lifelong dream to play my 1st game in that arena.
After retiring as a player, you spent several years as an NBA scout: how long did it take you to figure out how good a player was or the best way to stop his team’s game plan? It did not take long: even now I can quickly figure out if a guy has a chance to be great. I like to see if a guy practices how he plays because games can come easy for some people.
In 2009 you made the playoffs during your only year as an assistant coach with Detroit: what was it like to face Cleveland and their 24-year-old star named LeBron James? It felt like we were going to get swept! We were the #8 seed but thought we had a chance. We had a good team at that time with Joe Dumars as the boss and some good pieces on the roster…but LeBron (who won his 1st MVP award that year) was already at his peak.
In 2023 you were named athletic director at your alma mater: why did you take the job, and how is it going so far? It has been going great. I took the job because I wanted to help impact young people: in the NBA people get paid and then go home, but in college you get to work with them for 4 years and then see them walk across the stage to graduate. We have been doing this at Morehouse since 1900 and just had our most successful athletic season ever with several teams winning championships including Cross Country/Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field/Basketball.
