This week I am highlighting a player who continues to shine in his limited minutes thus far- Keon Ellis. Keon, a third year player for the Sacramento Kings, has become a reliable 3 and D guy for the Kings team that is filled with talent. Keon is currently averaging 7.1 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and .9 blocks a game.(Stats are as of (12/02/2024).

SCOUTING REPORT:

Keon has a tremendous feel for getting himself open for a good look at a three. He is typically at the right place at the right time, whether on a fill or stationary position. As majority of his shots are unassisted, Keon is typically looking to use his quick release to get the shot up off the catch.

Since Keon isn’t a playmaker or much of a shot creator, he is typically only putting the ball on the floor during a long closeout.  He’s a smart enough player where he makes the right read off the dribble, usually an attempted layup or a kick out. Though he is quite athletic, he isn’t much of a strong finisher unless in transition with a head of steam.

Another underrated part of his games is he is a great screener despite him being a guard. As the NBA continues to become a perimeter centric league, we are seeing a lot more guard to guard screens. Keon falls behind only Lu Dort, Isaac Okoro, and Alex Caruso, as the best statistical screen assiter for non-bigs in the NBA. 

Keon isn’t an elite one-on-one defender, but he is very very solid. As the Kings have the 17th best defensive rating thus far at 113.6, I do notice that Keon has several plays a game where at first glance it appears he is to blame, but in actuality his team botches a switch or overhelps and he is trying to overcompensate with his hustle and determination. 

This guy is quite athletic there’s no doubt about it, but his 6’8.5” wingspan in addition to his quickness compliment his on and off ball defensive tendencies. Keon sometimes struggles with smaller, quicker guards and high volume wings who know how to exploit his lack of strength and post IQ in the paint.

Aside from that, Keon does a great job anticipating while off-ball, and averages 2.8 deflections and 1.1 steals a game to show for it. What makes him so effective off ball but also with blocking is he typically makes a move just a tad early.

Whether stunting right before the strong side player drives, sinking right before the cross court pass, or jumping right before the player goes up for the layup. With blocking specifically, what makes him one of the better blocking guards in the NBA is how he has mastered bringing his arm down rather that straight up. Though it is a dangerous game to play as that sounds like a recipe to foul out every game, Keon understands when to take advantage of the offensive player and when not to. 

DATA REPORT:

Offensively, Keon is primarily a 3 pt shooter, with roughly 69% of his jumpers coming from behind the arc. Currently, Keon shoots a solid 64.9% eFG%. Though his percentage at the rim is nothing to turn a head for, Keon is one of the better shooters for his positions, shooting in the 98th percentile for mid range shots, and in the 94th percentile for 3pt percentage. Now as I mentioned before, Keon is primarily a 3 point shooter, so his mid range percentile is slightly skewed, but for 3pt range he is shooting 45% from 3 overall and 54% from the corner three. 

Defensively, Keon has a great feel for the game, and his impact is clear in the statistics. Keon sits in the 100th percentile for BLK% at his position at 2.2%, and in the 88th percentile in STL%. Though Defensively, Keon has a great feel for the game, and his impact is clear in the statistics. KeoKeon sits in the 100th percentile for BLK% at his position at 2.2%, and in the 88th percentile in STL%. Though Keon may seem to not be a great rebounder, he is a solid offensive rebounder and in the 82nd percentile at his position and an even better 92nd percentile for free throw offensive rebounding percentage%. 

may seem to not be a great rebounder, he is a solid offensive rebounder and in the 82nd percentile at his position and an even better 92nd percentile for free throw offensive rebounding percentage%. 

Simply put, the team typically im[roves when Keon is on the court, as the team differential is +7.3 and his points/poss is +7.0.  The other stat that jumps out is the on/off differential for opponents shooting percentages. Opposing teams are shooting -1.1% eFG% and -3.8%  from 3pt range, another statistical indicator of Keon’s service defensively.