Former USC basketball player signs deal with Western Conference playoff team

Jan 5, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans guard Boogie Ellis (5) shoots a free throw against the UCLA Bruins during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

A former USC Trojan follows Bronny James to the Pacific Division.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Saturday that guard Boogie Ellis has agreed to a deal with the Sacramento Kings. Ellis will have the opportunity to compete for an open roster spot during Sacramento’s training camp, Charania added.

The 23-year-old Ellis is a 6-foot-1 guard who starred for USC after transferring from the University of Memphis (where he was a 2021 NIT champion). Ellis led the Trojans in scoring last season with 16.5 points per game and was named an All-Pac-12 selection for the second straight year.

Ultimately, Ellis went undrafted this year, likely due to his size, subpar field goal percentage (42.7 last season) and low assist numbers. But now Ellis gets a chance to join a Kings team that traded away guard Chris Duarte this offseason and is also dealing with the extended absence of lottery pick Devin Carter (shoulder surgery). Of course, there’s another notable USC alumnus Sacramento acquired this summer.