Eli Ellis Age, Bio, Career, Height & Net Worth

If you have been following basketball or scrolling through TikTok lately, chances are you have come across Eli Ellis. This young basketball prodigy from Hickory, North Carolina has taken both the sports world and social media by storm. Fans everywhere are searching for Eli Ellis age, his biography, height, family, and net worth — and for good reason. In just a few years, this teenager has gone from a small-town court to winning back-to-back Overtime Elite MVP awards and landing a full college scholarship at the University of South Carolina.

This article gives you the complete picture — accurate facts, updated stats, and details that most other pages get wrong or simply skip.

Quick Bio — Eli Ellis at a Glance

How Old Is Eli Ellis? — Age and Birthday

Eli Ellis was born on September 17, 2005, which makes him 20 years old as of 2026. He is a Virgo by zodiac sign — which fans like to point out fits his competitive, detail-oriented personality perfectly.

What makes Eli Ellis’s age so remarkable is what he has already accomplished at 19. Most teenagers are still figuring out where they want to go to college. Eli has already dominated a professional-level basketball league, built a multi-million follower social media brand, signed a major NIL deal with Under Armour, and committed to one of the top college basketball programs in the country.

Born in 2005, Eli belongs to Generation Z — a generation that has grown up with smartphones, social media, and digital content creation as a normal part of everyday life. He has used all of that to his full advantage, blending elite athletic performance with a natural gift for connecting with fans online.

Early Life — Growing Up in Hickory, North Carolina

Eli Ellis was born and raised in Hickory, a city in the western Piedmont region of North Carolina. Hickory is known for its strong community values and local sporting culture. For Eli, it was the perfect backdrop to fall in love with basketball.

From a very young age, Eli was drawn to the game. His father, Jeremy Ellis, is a basketball coach, which meant Eli practically grew up on the court. Jeremy was not just a parent — he was also a mentor and coach, teaching Eli the fundamentals of the game, instilling discipline, and pushing him to compete against players older and stronger than himself.

Eli also has a younger brother, Isaac Ellis, who shares the same passion for basketball. The two brothers spent countless hours practising together in the driveway, at local gyms, and in competitive youth leagues. That sibling rivalry and mutual support created a fiercely competitive but warm family dynamic that Eli still credits for much of his drive today.

Outside of basketball, Eli is known to be a person of faith. His TikTok bio features the Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11 — a verse about hope and a future — which gives a glimpse into the values that keep him grounded despite his growing fame.

Education — Moravian Prep Academy and Overtime Elite

For high school, Eli attended Moravian Prep Academy in North Carolina. Moravian Prep has a strong reputation for developing elite athletic talent, and it was there that Eli first caught national attention as a basketball player.

During his time at Moravian Prep, Eli averaged an impressive 21.9 points per game in the 2021–22 season — a stat that put him firmly on the radar of scouts, recruiters, and basketball fans across the country.

One of the unique things about Eli’s education is that it ran parallel to his professional basketball development through Overtime Elite. OTE has its own academic programme built into its structure, which allows young athletes to continue their education while competing at an elite level. This means Eli was never forced to choose between school and sport — both were part of the same journey.

Eli Ellis Basketball Career — Rise to Stardom

High School Years — The Foundation

Eli’s high school career at Moravian Prep was where everything started to click. His sharpshooting, confident playing style, and ability to take over a game made him a fan favourite even at the local level. Coaches and scouts quickly noticed that he was not just talented — he was mentally tough and fearless under pressure.

His performances in high school showcases and tournaments earned him comparisons to elite guards and drew attention from major college programmes across the country.

Joining Overtime Elite (OTE) — The Big Leap

In 2022, Eli Ellis made a career-defining decision. He signed with Overtime Elite, becoming the league’s eighth scholarship athlete and only the second prospect from the Class of 2025 to join OTE. He was assigned to the YNG Dreamerz team.

Overtime Elite is not a typical high school league. It is a professional-style development league that pays its athletes, provides top-tier coaching, and exposes them to national and international competition. For Eli, it was a massive opportunity — and he made the most of it.

In the 2022–23 season, Eli settled in and started building his game against elite competition. By the 2023–24 season, he was unstoppable.

The 50-Point Game and OTE MVP

On January 7, 2024, Eli Ellis made history at Overtime Elite. He scored 50 points in YNG Dreamerz’s road win against Blue Checks OTE, going 12 of 25 from the field, 18 of 19 from the free-throw line, and adding 6 rebounds and 5 assists. It was a performance that went viral instantly and introduced Eli to millions of new fans overnight.

That season, Eli finished with averages of 33.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game — numbers that would be elite at any level of basketball. He was named Overtime Elite MVP for the 2023–24 season, and he reportedly became only the second player in OTE history to win back-to-back MVP awards.

Committing to South Carolina — The College Chapter

On November 15, 2023, Eli Ellis officially committed to play for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks. This was a major announcement in the college basketball recruiting world. South Carolina was getting one of the most dynamic young guards in the country.

Eli’s arrival at South Carolina marked the next chapter of his journey — moving from a professional development league to NCAA competition. His combination of scoring ability, court vision, and leadership made him an immediate talking point among Gamecocks fans and college basketball analysts alike.

Eli Ellis Career Stats at a Glance

Eli Ellis Height, Weight and Physical Stats

Eli Ellis stands at 6 feet 1 inch (approximately 185 cm) tall and weighs around 180 pounds (82 kg). He plays primarily as a shooting guard and combo guard.

His height gives him a real advantage at the guard position. He is tall enough to shoot over smaller defenders but quick enough to blow past bigger ones. His physical conditioning is something he works on consistently, as evidenced by his social media content showing intense training sessions.

Height: 6 ft 1 in / 185 cm

Weight: ~180 lbs / 82 kg

Position: Shooting Guard / Combo Guard

Wingspan: Reported to be above average for his height, contributing to his defensive reach

Eli Ellis Family — A Basketball Household

Father — Jeremy Ellis

Jeremy Ellis is one of the most important figures in Eli’s life. Not only is he Eli’s father, but he has also served as his coach and mentor for most of Eli’s basketball journey. Jeremy has a deep knowledge of the game, and he has been the person who pushed Eli to take basketball seriously from a very early age.

Jeremy coached Eli in youth leagues and competitive programmes, giving him structured training that went well beyond what most young players receive. Eli frequently credits his father for teaching him not just how to play basketball, but how to think about it and approach it with professionalism.

Brother — Isaac Ellis

Isaac Ellis is Eli’s younger brother, and he is also a basketball player. The Ellis brothers have trained together, competed together, and pushed each other to improve throughout their lives. Isaac has his own growing reputation in the basketball world, and many fans keep an eye on both siblings as emerging talents.

The bond between Eli and Isaac is a central part of Eli’s story. Having a brother who shares the same passion and drive has created a support system that goes beyond what any coach or team can provide.

Faith and Personal Values

Eli Ellis is a person of Christian faith. His TikTok bio prominently features Jeremiah 29:11 — a verse that reads ‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ This is not just a decorative choice. It reflects the foundation of values that keeps Eli grounded, humble, and focused despite his rapid rise to fame.

Under Armour NIL Deal — Building a Brand at 19

One of the biggest things that sets Eli Ellis apart from most athletes his age is his NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deal with Under Armour. Under Armour is one of the most prestigious sports brands in the world, and signing a young athlete like Eli is a major statement of confidence in his future.

This partnership means Eli earns money from endorsements, appears in Under Armour marketing content, and represents the brand on and off the court. For a 19-year-old still in college, this is a remarkable achievement that speaks to his marketability and the reach of his personal brand.

Eli’s NIL deal with Under Armour is something that most top-5 competitor articles do not cover in depth — which is a significant gap, because it is one of the most interesting aspects of his life as a modern athlete.

Eli Ellis Social Media — The Creator Side

Eli Ellis is not just a basketball player. He is a full-blown content creator with a massive online following. His social media platforms give fans a window into his life, his training, his personality, and his journey.

• TikTok (@eliellis): Over 1.4 million followers. His TikTok features basketball highlights, behind-the-scenes training clips, dance trends, and comedic content. This is where he first went viral and built his core fanbase.
• Instagram (@eliellis): Over 650,000 followers. His Instagram is a mix of game promotions, travel content, university recruitment content, and lifestyle posts.
• YouTube: Eli also has a YouTube channel where he shares longer-form content, vlogs, and extended game highlights.

One of his most notable social media moments was a collaboration with FaZe Rug, one of the biggest creators on YouTube with tens of millions of followers. This crossover between sports and internet culture helped introduce Eli to an entirely new audience beyond basketball fans.

Eli’s social media success is not accidental. He understands what his audience wants to see, he posts consistently, and he brings genuine energy and personality to every piece of content. This is increasingly rare for athletes his age, and it is a big reason why his following continues to grow even during the off-season.

Eli Ellis Net Worth 2026 — How Much Is He Worth?

Eli Ellis’s estimated net worth in 2026 is approximately $500,000. For a 19-year-old who has not yet played a professional season in the NBA, this is a remarkable figure — and it is only expected to grow.

His income comes from several different streams:

• Overtime Elite contract: OTE pays its athletes directly, and Eli was one of the league’s top performers. His contract included salary, bonuses, and performance-related earnings.
• Under Armour NIL deal: His partnership with Under Armour contributes significantly to his income through endorsement fees and promotional work.
• Social media revenue: With over 1.4 million TikTok followers and 650K on Instagram, Eli earns through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, and creator funds.
• Tournament earnings and bonuses: His performances in OTE earned him additional financial incentives.

As Eli progresses through his college career at South Carolina and potentially into the NBA, his net worth is expected to grow substantially. Analysts who follow college basketball recruiting already have him on their radar as a future professional, and any NBA Draft contract would transform his financial picture entirely.

Eli Ellis Girlfriend and Relationship Status

As of 2026, Eli Ellis has not publicly confirmed being in a relationship. He is known for keeping his personal life very private and separate from his public basketball and social media identity.

There is no confirmed information about a girlfriend, and Eli has not spoken publicly about his romantic life. Fans frequently ask about his relationship status, but Eli keeps his focus on basketball and his content — which is a mature approach for someone so young in the spotlight.

Eli Ellis Playing Style — What Makes Him Special

Eli Ellis is a scorer, but he is more than just a bucket-getter. Here is what makes his game genuinely special:

• Elite shooting range: Eli can score from anywhere on the floor. His three-point shooting, mid-range game, and ability to get to the free-throw line (as shown by his 18-of-19 performance in a single game) make him almost impossible to guard consistently.
• Fearless mentality: Eli does not shy away from big moments. He plays with an edge and confidence that most players his age simply do not have. Coaches describe him as a player who wants the ball when the game is on the line.
• Court vision and playmaking: Despite being primarily a scorer, Eli’s ability to create for teammates (5.1 assists per game in OTE) shows that he is developing into a complete guard rather than just a one-dimensional player.
• Competitive fire: Whether it is a showcase game or a regular-season matchup, Eli brings intensity every time he steps on the floor. This competitiveness is something that has been noted by coaches, scouts, and teammates alike.

NBA Draft Outlook — Is Eli Ellis Going Pro?

Eli Ellis was not eligible for the 2024 NBA Draft, but his trajectory has him firmly on the radar of NBA scouts for future draft classes. His combination of scoring ability, athleticism, size, and social media profile makes him an attractive prospect — both as a basketball player and as a marketable athlete.

College basketball at South Carolina will be Eli’s proving ground. If he can replicate his OTE production at the NCAA level — where competition is significantly different — he will move into serious draft conversation. Fans and analysts are watching closely.

Frequently Asked Questions About Eli Ellis

Conclusion

Eli Ellis is one of the most exciting young athletes in America right now. At just 19 years old, he has already won back-to-back Overtime Elite MVP awards, scored 50 points in a single game, signed a landmark NIL deal with Under Armour, built a social media following of over 2 million across platforms, and committed to a top-tier college basketball programme at the University of South Carolina.

His story is about more than basketball. It is about a kid from Hickory, North Carolina, raised by a basketball-coaching father, who combined relentless hard work with a genuine personality and turned both into something extraordinary. Whether you found Eli Ellis through a highlight reel, a TikTok video, or a recruiting article, one thing is clear — you will be hearing his name for a very long time.