If there were a triple threat award for a player with a smooth shot, who crashes boards, and has good character, it would go to Ellis. She had a strong summer with the Metro Stars 2029 club team, displaying her signature style of play and putting up points every time we watched. With a quick drive to the basket, Maliyah wants the contact to get her to the line. If she knocks an opponent down, the first thing she does is pick them right back up. That combination of physical play and the right character is just what college coaches want. A top-60 prospect among Minnesota sophomores, Ellis is quick and crafty with the basketball, can create her own shot from anywhere, and knows how to finish.

A well known high-octane scorer, we saw Ellis put up big numbers with Metro Stars on plenty of occasions last summer. Quick and crafty with the ball, the 5’7 guard can create her own shot from virtually anywhere on the floor. Maliyah has a soft, effortless release on her shot, and can finish at the rim in a variety of ways. This winter with Eden Prairie, the Eagles freshman showed off the other aspects of her game. Ellis stepped up to the plate, filling whatever role she was asked to play, demonstrating her abilities as a skilled passer, and consistent, capable defender.

Ellis had her fingerprints all over the game at the Freshman Showcase, particularly on the offensive end. The 5’7 guard got downhill to the rim with ease, using her explosive first step, crafty ball handling, and soft touch to wrack up points in the paint. On the perimeter, Maliyah’s shot is consistently smooth, with a silky, textbook form. The Eden Prairie freshman’s athleticism shined on the defensive end, where her bounciness, active hands, and quick lateral movement made her a disruptive force. There’s no question that Ellis is a rising star among the 2029s.