Monta Ellis Is Alcorn State’s New Men’s Basketball General Manager

Alcorn State men’s basketball has added one of the most accomplished professional players ever produced by the state of Mississippi to its front office. The university announced Friday that former NBA guard Monta Ellis has been hired as general manager of the men’s basketball program, effective immediately.

Ellis, a Jackson, Mississippi native, played parts of 12 NBA seasons with the Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers after the Warriors selected him 40th overall in the 2005 draft. He finished his career with 14,858 points (17.8 per game), 3,856 assists and 2,874 rebounds, and was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2007.

“Today marks the beginning of an incredible new chapter, and I’m truly honored and excited to be named the General Manager for Men’s Basketball at Alcorn State University,” Ellis said in the announcement. “Alcorn isn’t just a university. It’s a place built on history, tradition, excellence, and a legacy that has impacted generations.”

What the Job Covers

Alcorn says Ellis will assist with roster construction, player evaluation, recruiting strategy, transfer portal decisions, NIL opportunities, and alumni and donor relationships, and will also serve as a mentor to players. That is a wide portfolio, and it reflects where college basketball has moved: with rosters turning over annually through the portal and NIL now central to recruiting and retention, programs at every level are adding front-office-style positions to manage work that used to be split informally among assistant coaches.

For a Southwestern Athletic Conference program, the donor and NIL pieces may matter most. Athletic director E. D’Wayne Robinson made clear the university sees Ellis’ name as an asset beyond the practice gym.

“Monta’s name alone opens doors for our program, from the recruiting trail to the national stage,” Robinson said. “He understands what it takes to compete and win at the highest level, and that perspective will be invaluable as we continue building a roster capable of competing for SWAC championships here in Lorman.”

A Mississippi Homecoming

Ellis arrives with deep roots in the state. At Lanier High School in Jackson, he won two MHSAA 4-A state championships, scored 4,167 career points, averaged 38.4 points per game, and earned McDonald’s All-American honors before jumping directly to the NBA. Head coach Jake Morton, who just completed his first season in Lorman, pointed to that connection in welcoming the hire.

“He brings a wealth of basketball knowledge, professional experience, and a strong connection to the state of Mississippi,” Morton said. “His addition is a major step forward for our program, and will have a tremendous impact on our student-athletes, Alcorn, as a university, the Jackson-Lorman-Vicksburg-Natchez areas, and communities throughout the state.”

The Program Ellis Joins

The Braves went 9-23 overall and 7-11 in SWAC play last season, Morton’s first, and advanced to the second round of the SWAC Tournament with a 77-65 win over Alabama State.

Financially, Alcorn’s men’s basketball program operates in the upper half of the conference. According to 2024-25 athletics financial data, the Braves spent about $1.39 million on men’s basketball, fourth among the 12 SWAC members and above the conference average of roughly $1.24 million.

Source: U.S. Department of Education Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act filings, 2024-25 school year.

A budget in that range does not by itself decide games, but it gives a general manager something to work with. If Ellis’ NBA pedigree and Mississippi relationships translate into stronger recruiting classes and new donor and NIL support, Alcorn will have added recruiting reach that money alone cannot buy. The full announcement is available on the Alcorn State Athletics website.