South Carolina Signee Eli Ellis Claims Second Consecutive Overtime Elite MVP
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Eli Ellis is heading to South Carolina this summer with sky-high expectations, and he just added another accolade to his growing resume. The Gamecocks’ top signee has been named Overtime Elite MVP for the second straight season, solidifying his reputation as one of the most prolific scorers at the high school level.
Ranked No. 70 overall in the nation, No. 4 in North Carolina, and No. 21 among shooting guards by the On3 industry ranking, Ellis is widely regarded as a dynamic offensive talent. His impressive resume already includes All-American honors and an upcoming appearance in the Iverson Classic All-American Game in May.
The Wednesday night announcement of his MVP selection only adds to his growing legacy. This season, Ellis has been nothing short of dominant, averaging 32 points, nearly seven assists, and six rebounds while leading his YNG Dreamerz squad to the top seed in the OTE playoffs. Over the next two weeks, he will look to cap off his high school career with a championship.
A historic scorer, Ellis is the all-time leading scorer in Overtime Elite history, with multiple 50-point explosions to his name. As expected, his stellar performance also earned him a spot on the All-OTE team. Joining him on the list are his younger brother, Isaac Ellis, and teammate Kohl Rosario, both of whom are class of 2026 South Carolina recruiting targets. Isaac, much like his older brother, is a crafty combo guard, while Rosario is an athletic wing with an improving shooting stroke.
With South Carolina losing starting guards Jamarii Thomas and Jacobi Wright, Ellis could step into a major role as a freshman. His ability to play both guard positions and his natural scoring instinct make him an intriguing option for head coach Lamont Paris as the Gamecocks build toward the future.
At 6’1”, Ellis is a score-first guard who thrives on his elite ball-handling, deep shooting range, and relentless competitiveness. While his efficiency numbers aren’t eye-popping—largely due to the difficulty of his shot selection—he has shown the ability to knock down step-backs, fadeaways, and long-range bombs with consistency. As he transitions to the college game, improved shot selection and offensive structure should boost his percentages.
Despite not being an elite athlete, Ellis finishes well at the rim and has made significant strides as a playmaker. He not only led OTE in scoring but also paced the league in assists with 6.7 per game, demonstrating his ability to create for others.
With his MVP-caliber production and fearless approach, Ellis could make an immediate impact for the Gamecocks when he arrives in Columbia. For now, though, he has one more mission: leading YNG Dreamerz to an OTE championship before taking his talents to the SEC.
