Last Updated on April 15, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here is the information about Leroy Ellis:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Leroy Ellis
  • Nickname: Not widely documented
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: March 10, 1940
  • Hometown: Far Rockaway, New York, USA
  • Height: 6 ft 10 in (208 cm)
  • Weight: 225 lbs (102 kg)
  • Wingspan: Not publicly documented
  • Shoe Size: Not publicly documented
  • Jersey Number(s):
    • #34 — Baltimore Bullets
    • #44 — Los Angeles Lakers
    • #31 — Portland Trail Blazers
    • College numbers not reliably documented
  • Position: Power Forward / Center
  • High School: Far Rockaway High School (New York)
  • College: St. John’s University
  • NBA Draft:
    • Team: Los Angeles Lakers
    • Year: 1962
    • Pick: 5th overall
  • Player Archetype: Rebounding-focused interior big
  • Primary Offensive Role: Interior finisher and secondary option around the rim
  • Defensive Role: Paint protector and strong positional rebounder
  • Play Style:
    • Physical presence inside
    • Focused on rebounding, putbacks, and close-range scoring
    • Played within structured team systems
  • Handedness / Shooting Hand: Right-handed
  • Athletic Profile:
    • Strong frame with good length for his era
    • Not overly explosive but effective through positioning and strength
  • Recruiting Status: Historically recruited (pre-modern rankings era)
  • Draft Status Detail:
    • First-round pick (5th overall) in 1962
    • Highly productive collegiate big man transitioning to NBA frontcourt role
  • Injury Status Category: No widely documented major career-altering injuries
  • Career Stage: Retired (deceased)
  • Comparison Style: Similar to traditional rebounding bigs who prioritized physicality and interior control
  • Teams Played For:
    • Los Angeles Lakers (1962–1964)
    • Baltimore Bullets (1964–1967)
    • Portland Trail Blazers (1970–1971)
    • Philadelphia 76ers (1971–1972)
    • Chicago Bulls (1972–1973)
  • Championship Rings:
    • 1× NBA Champion — 1972 (Philadelphia 76ers)
  • Parents: Not publicly documented
  • Children: Not widely documented
  • Siblings: Not publicly documented
  • Retirement Age: 33
  • Retirement Year: 1973

Leroy Ellis’s player archetype was that of a rebounding-focused interior big, built around physicality and consistency in the paint. Defensively, he served as a positional anchor, using strength and awareness to control the glass and contest inside scoring without relying on elite shot-blocking numbers. Offensively, Ellis operated primarily as a low-usage interior finisher, converting close-range opportunities, cleaning up misses, and fitting into structured team offenses rather than creating his own shot. His physical traits—standing 6’10” with a solid, durable frame—allowed him to battle effectively against opposing bigs throughout his career. Overall, his play style was grounded in effort, rebounding discipline, and reliability, making him a valuable supporting piece on competitive rosters.

Fun Facts

  • He was known for his versatility as a big man and contributed to the Los Angeles Lakers’ historic 1971–72 championship team, which achieved a record 33-game winning streak.
  • After retiring, Ellis was involved in youth basketball and mentoring young players.

Sources:
St. John’s University Athletics — Leroy Ellis Bio
NBA.com — Leroy Ellis Player Profile
Find a Grave — Leroy Ellis Memorial