LeRoy - Ellis' Obituary
LeRoy Ellis, who played 14 years in the NBA after a standout career at St. John's, had died June 2, 2012 in Portland, OR. of prostate cancer at the age of 72.
He was born on March 10, 1940 in Far Rockaway, New York.
Ellis played at St. John's from 1959-62. He still holds the school single-season record for rebounding with an average of 16.5 in his junior year, and the record for most rebounds in a game with 30 against NYU on Dec. 30, 1961.
"For a big guy, he was awfully quick. You can never catch him," St. John's Hall of Fame coach Lou Carnesecca said. "He had a soft touch and was a good rebounder. He was a quiet guy, you never knew he was around. But when he was on the court, you always knew."
He was drafted sixth overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1962.
Ellis appeared in 1, 048 NBA games with the Lakers, Baltimore, Portland and Philadelphia. He posted career averages of 9.7 points and 8.3 rebounds, and was a member of Los Angeles' 1972 championship team.
He was a member of the Portland Trail Blazers in their first season in 1970-71 and led the team in rebounds 12.3 and ranked third in scoring 15.9. It was his only season the Portland. He retired from the NBA after 14 years.
"LeRoy Ellis was a very important member of the first Trail Blazers team and was a very high-class individual," said Trail Blazers Founder and President Emeritus Harry Glickman. "We extend our deepest sympathy to his family."
He met Vera in Los Angeles and have been together for 23 years.
Survivors include: Vera, 6 Children: Leron Ellis, LeRoy Ellis, Jr.; Lisa Walton, Dawn Yoshinaga, Lewis Ellis, Lee Ellis; 1 Brother, 15 Grandchildren and 1 on the way.
Celebration of Life: Private Family
On-line condolences can be made to the family at, www.columbiafh.com
Columbia Funeral Home-Directors
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