Perry Ellis has been one of Kentucky coach John Calipari’s main recruiting targets this summer, and the 6-9 forward from Wichita, Kan., recently narrowed his list of schools to Kentucky, Kansas, Kansas State and Wichita State.
“John Calipari and (assistant) coach (Orlando) Antigua told me that they liked how I played this summer that they enjoyed watching me. They also have been telling me about how they want me,” Ellis said. “They also said that they want to have an in-home visit after they are back from coaching the Dominican team.”
Ellis also shared this information via e-mail about his recruitment and summer play:
Question: Was it a difficult decision to narrow your college list to four schools?
Ellis: “It wasn’t difficult, really. I had been thinking about this for a while. I wanted to pick the schools that I was the most comfortable with and the coaches that have been recruiting me the longest and the hardest.”
Question: It seems that Calipari and Antigua have watched you more than any other player this summer. What do you think about that, and does that have an impact on your college choice possibly?
Ellis: “It was very impressive to see them at so many games. It really made me feel that I was a priority for them. Especially impressed when coach Calipari left for Ohio but then came back to watch me again in Indy.”
Question: Do you talk much to any of the other players being recruited by Kentucky about college choices?
Ellis: “I talk to a lot of players at camps and events.”
Question: What will you be looking for to determine which of the final four schools is your ultimate choice?
Ellis: “I want to be comfortable with the coaches, players and the schoo. That is my main factor.”
Question: Since Kentucky is the only out-of-state school on your list, does that mean you are more inclined to stay close to home, or is distance still not a concern?
Ellis: “Distance really isn’t an issue at this point, I just want it to feel like home and be comfortable there.”
Question: With all the attention you have received for almost four years now, does the recruiting and media process ever get tiring and how do you cope with it?
Ellis: “Yes, it does at times, but my mom has done a great job helping me through this. With everyone having to go through her first that helps a lot. I just want to focus on school, and keep working hard on an off the court.”
Question: How do you feel you played in the various summer events, and did you get a chance to improve your game, or is that hard to do when you are playing and not getting to actually work in the gym on your own?
Ellis: “I felt I had a successful summer I think I was able to show how versatile I am and that I can do so many things to help my team. I think playing in Indy at the Adidas invitational was the best. We made it to the final four and it was great to play against so many great players and teams. I was on the road a lot in July. I played 22 games and played in Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Nevada.”
Question: What would be the one thing you like most about John Calipari as a coach and also as a person, and what do you think or Orlando Antigua?
Ellis: “Coach Cal has always been real open and straight forward. He said you will have to work hard and nothing is guaranteed. He has helped many players improve on their total game. He cares about family and that is important to me.
“Coach Orlando is great, he always stays in touch with me. When he found out I received an award or something happened, he always knows about it and stays in close contact with me and my family.”
“John Calipari and (assistant) coach (Orlando) Antigua told me that they liked how I played this summer that they enjoyed watching me. They also have been telling me about how they want me,” Ellis said. “They also said that they want to have an in-home visit after they are back from coaching the Dominican team.”
Ellis also shared this information via e-mail about his recruitment and summer play:
Question: Was it a difficult decision to narrow your college list to four schools?
Ellis: “It wasn’t difficult, really. I had been thinking about this for a while. I wanted to pick the schools that I was the most comfortable with and the coaches that have been recruiting me the longest and the hardest.”
Question: It seems that Calipari and Antigua have watched you more than any other player this summer. What do you think about that, and does that have an impact on your college choice possibly?
Ellis: “It was very impressive to see them at so many games. It really made me feel that I was a priority for them. Especially impressed when coach Calipari left for Ohio but then came back to watch me again in Indy.”
Question: Do you talk much to any of the other players being recruited by Kentucky about college choices?
Ellis: “I talk to a lot of players at camps and events.”
Question: What will you be looking for to determine which of the final four schools is your ultimate choice?
Ellis: “I want to be comfortable with the coaches, players and the schoo. That is my main factor.”
Question: Since Kentucky is the only out-of-state school on your list, does that mean you are more inclined to stay close to home, or is distance still not a concern?
Ellis: “Distance really isn’t an issue at this point, I just want it to feel like home and be comfortable there.”
Question: With all the attention you have received for almost four years now, does the recruiting and media process ever get tiring and how do you cope with it?
Ellis: “Yes, it does at times, but my mom has done a great job helping me through this. With everyone having to go through her first that helps a lot. I just want to focus on school, and keep working hard on an off the court.”
Question: How do you feel you played in the various summer events, and did you get a chance to improve your game, or is that hard to do when you are playing and not getting to actually work in the gym on your own?
Ellis: “I felt I had a successful summer I think I was able to show how versatile I am and that I can do so many things to help my team. I think playing in Indy at the Adidas invitational was the best. We made it to the final four and it was great to play against so many great players and teams. I was on the road a lot in July. I played 22 games and played in Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Nevada.”
Question: What would be the one thing you like most about John Calipari as a coach and also as a person, and what do you think or Orlando Antigua?
Ellis: “Coach Cal has always been real open and straight forward. He said you will have to work hard and nothing is guaranteed. He has helped many players improve on their total game. He cares about family and that is important to me.
“Coach Orlando is great, he always stays in touch with me. When he found out I received an award or something happened, he always knows about it and stays in close contact with me and my family.”
