Ella Copeland Ella Copeland 5'8" | PG/SG Russellville | 2027 State AL played with confidence at The EXPO, showcasing the offensive versatility of a true three-level scorer. Her three-point shooting was a major strength, but she was equally effective putting the ball on the floor and attacking downhill, particularly when going left. Copeland showed a good finishing touch around the basket, making her difficult to contain once she gained an advantage. Beyond her scoring ability, she displayed solid playmaking instincts and the willingness to create opportunities for teammates. Her combination of perimeter shooting, downhill aggression, and confidence makes her a guard capable of putting consistent pressure on opposing defenses.

Copeland showed a lot of diversity and skill in her offensive game throughout the event. She is a very skilled shooter from the perimeter, but her shot was not falling in the couple of games I watched. She still found a lot of ways to impact the game in a positive way for her team. Copeland is a competitor and she simply outworked other players to come up with loose balls, rebounds, and steals. Because her shot was not falling from the perimeter, Copeland adjusted and starting attacking the basket off the dribble where she was very effective scoring or drawing fouls and going to the free throw line. She competed and played very heard on the defensive end as well. She is a crafty player, with sneaky handles, who is not just a jump shooter. She showed a lot of toughness, had a very high work rate, and was an encouraging, positive leader for her team.

Ella was in kill mode on day two getting at it however she could. She’s a complete player who can do it all. When the ball is in her hand there is no who can stop her, and she takes full advantage of that.

Opponents find it difficult to cope when Ella is on the court. The Now Elite organization had a successful weekend at Columbus State as it took home 15U and 16U championship trophies. Copeland’s play was a massive reason for its 16U success. The ability to make 3-point shots is one element of Copeland’s game. She also has no problems attacking the basket and does not give up on a play. With only five teams in the 16U field, all 16U games were pool play. Among the big games for the guard out of 5A Russellville was a 22-point performance – including four 3-pointers in an emphatic victory on Sunday over Britt Basketball Academy 16U. 

In close, tough contests like the one Now Elite 16U was locked into against OMG Academy, every bucket counts. The Russellville standout converted plenty of them in that contest. She had 12 points and the team’s margin of victory was only four – 57-53 to be exact. While the 12 points she had on offense will draw plenty of eyeballs, she keeps her hands outstretched whenever she is on defense. Copeland is also confident in her ability to drain her 3-point attempts. She is also unafraid of contact and can get to the free throw line. Combined the aforementioned attributes with her rim attacking and she will leave plenty a defense guessing. 

Ella is a dominant force on both ends of the court, bringing unmatched energy and leadership every time she steps on the floor. Her fearless play style sets the tone—she’s never afraid to go at opponents, using her physicality to attack the basket and lock up defensively. Ella’s presence commands respect, whether she’s diving for loose balls, taking on tough matchups, or rallying her team in crucial moments. Beyond her intensity, she’s a highly skilled, all-around player with the ability to score, defend, rebound, and facilitate, making her a true cornerstone of her team’s success.

Ella is the definition of an all-around player, showcasing a well-balanced game throughout the tournament. She can shoot the three with confidence—her high-arching shot making it incredibly tough for defenders to contest—while also being a strong driver who finishes at the rim with control. On top of her offensive skill set, Ella crashes the boards hard and brings consistent effort on the defensive end. Her athleticism allows her to guard multiple positions effectively, giving her team flexibility and toughness on both ends of the floor. Ella’s ability to impact the game in so many ways made her a standout every time she stepped on the court.