University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Joe Murphy
Tigers Basketball Q&A: Boogie Ellis
Dec 01, 2020 | Men's Basketball
Sophomore guard tells of his nickname's origin, discusses improvements in his game.
Where did the nickname come from?
I guess it came from when I was born. I was dancing when I was born, so my family decided to call me 'Boogie.' I guess I was dancing to one of the 'boogie' songs when I was a baby.
What 'boogie' song was it?
I don't know the title of the song, but a lyric is: "Get down, boogie oogie oogie." I was young so I never knew the name of the song. (NOTE:the song's name is Boogie Oogie Oogie by A Taste of Honey)
You've been called a 'gym rat.' Where does that desire come from to continually improve your game?
I have high expectations for myself. I want to be great at basketball. I have a love and passion for it. If I'm in the gym, I'm working toward that. If I have a bad game, I'm going back to the gym. And if I have a good game, I'm going to be in the gym because it's never good enough for me.
How many times have the coaches kicked you out of the gym?
A couple of times. No, actually a lot.
Is the gym a home for you?
Yes. I'm at the gym more than I am at home.
What's your thoughts about this year's team?
We have a very talented team. Anyone can score, anyone can have a great game at any given time. We have to focus on the little things, and if we master those, it will take this team to a whole different level.
When coming to college the first year, many students have a transition time moving from home. Did being so far away from home have any effect on you last season?
No, not really. I been away from home for the most part since I was in eighth grade. It (being from home) doesn't really affect me. I see this as business, and I'm doing what I got to do to chase my dreams.
In the middle of last season, you had a little slump, but you pushed through it and had a great stretch run. What did you do to get through those tough times?
No matter what, I stayed in the gym. When I played well, I was in the gym. When I didn't, I was in the gym. I continued to believe in myself. I watched a lot of film at the end of the season of what I was doing wrong and right. It gave me a visual, allowed me to see the game. It helped me in those games at the end of the season because I could see what the defenses were doing.
What did you learn from last season that is going to help you in 2020-21?
I learned that as you go up a level in basketball – from high school to college – the game is more mental than physical. I did more mental work last year, like watching film. I tried to become more of a student of the game. That's what is going to make you a better player. It's not just talent and skills. It's also about understanding the game, what you can and can't do on the floor, knowing where your teammates are and where everyone needs to be. You need to think the game through so you can be a step ahead.
What have you done to improve the mental part of your game?
I ask a lot of questions. I ask Coach Hardaway a lot of questions because he's played at the highest level. I pick his brain. I also watch a lot of film on different guards to take things from their games. I watch film of guards who play and don't play like me. I watch film of guards who don't shoot well to see the other things they do to help the team. Also, I watch guards who do shoot well and see what their strengths and weaknesses are.
There are going to be those games when you don't shoot the ball well. What direction do you take your game to help the team?
I try to do the little things. I focus on my defense. I try to help get others open. Also, I try to be a better rebounder. I concentrate on the little things to stay on the floor and have an impact on the game when I'm not scoring.
After being out of playing games for so long due to COVID, how have you mentally prepared for the start of this season?
The pandemic really hasn't had an effect on me. When last season ended, I was disappointed in my performance and the way I played. So, as soon as the season was over, I got straight to it. I was grinding and mentally and physically preparing myself for the next time I stepped on the court to play. I'm ready to play, ready to get out there.
We've talked about your mental preparation for this campaign. What have you done to physically be ready for 2020-21?
I've been lifting a lot of weights, getting stronger. I also worked on my game and tried to get better every day, working on my shot, my decision-making. I watched film and tried to get better defensively.
Although only a sophomore, how do you plan to take on a leadership role this season?
I'm going to lead by working hard. If I'm working hard and others are seeing me do the right things, then I expect them to listen. I want all of us to come together and lead each other. I also want to lead by being vocal and talking to my teammates. I need to know my teammates and who I can hold accountable immediately and who I need to encourage.
Did you go home to San Diego during quarantine?
Yes. It was good being back at home, but I was just working out. I was locked in during my workouts, getting ready to come back here.
Did you get any beach time while at home?
No, I really didn't go to the beach. I was working out. I did have a couple of beach workouts, but that was about it for my beach time.
I guess it came from when I was born. I was dancing when I was born, so my family decided to call me 'Boogie.' I guess I was dancing to one of the 'boogie' songs when I was a baby.
What 'boogie' song was it?
I don't know the title of the song, but a lyric is: "Get down, boogie oogie oogie." I was young so I never knew the name of the song. (NOTE:the song's name is Boogie Oogie Oogie by A Taste of Honey)
You've been called a 'gym rat.' Where does that desire come from to continually improve your game?
I have high expectations for myself. I want to be great at basketball. I have a love and passion for it. If I'm in the gym, I'm working toward that. If I have a bad game, I'm going back to the gym. And if I have a good game, I'm going to be in the gym because it's never good enough for me.
How many times have the coaches kicked you out of the gym?
A couple of times. No, actually a lot.
Is the gym a home for you?
Yes. I'm at the gym more than I am at home.
What's your thoughts about this year's team?
We have a very talented team. Anyone can score, anyone can have a great game at any given time. We have to focus on the little things, and if we master those, it will take this team to a whole different level.
When coming to college the first year, many students have a transition time moving from home. Did being so far away from home have any effect on you last season?
No, not really. I been away from home for the most part since I was in eighth grade. It (being from home) doesn't really affect me. I see this as business, and I'm doing what I got to do to chase my dreams.
In the middle of last season, you had a little slump, but you pushed through it and had a great stretch run. What did you do to get through those tough times?
No matter what, I stayed in the gym. When I played well, I was in the gym. When I didn't, I was in the gym. I continued to believe in myself. I watched a lot of film at the end of the season of what I was doing wrong and right. It gave me a visual, allowed me to see the game. It helped me in those games at the end of the season because I could see what the defenses were doing.
What did you learn from last season that is going to help you in 2020-21?
I learned that as you go up a level in basketball – from high school to college – the game is more mental than physical. I did more mental work last year, like watching film. I tried to become more of a student of the game. That's what is going to make you a better player. It's not just talent and skills. It's also about understanding the game, what you can and can't do on the floor, knowing where your teammates are and where everyone needs to be. You need to think the game through so you can be a step ahead.
What have you done to improve the mental part of your game?
I ask a lot of questions. I ask Coach Hardaway a lot of questions because he's played at the highest level. I pick his brain. I also watch a lot of film on different guards to take things from their games. I watch film of guards who play and don't play like me. I watch film of guards who don't shoot well to see the other things they do to help the team. Also, I watch guards who do shoot well and see what their strengths and weaknesses are.
There are going to be those games when you don't shoot the ball well. What direction do you take your game to help the team?
I try to do the little things. I focus on my defense. I try to help get others open. Also, I try to be a better rebounder. I concentrate on the little things to stay on the floor and have an impact on the game when I'm not scoring.
After being out of playing games for so long due to COVID, how have you mentally prepared for the start of this season?
The pandemic really hasn't had an effect on me. When last season ended, I was disappointed in my performance and the way I played. So, as soon as the season was over, I got straight to it. I was grinding and mentally and physically preparing myself for the next time I stepped on the court to play. I'm ready to play, ready to get out there.
We've talked about your mental preparation for this campaign. What have you done to physically be ready for 2020-21?
I've been lifting a lot of weights, getting stronger. I also worked on my game and tried to get better every day, working on my shot, my decision-making. I watched film and tried to get better defensively.
Although only a sophomore, how do you plan to take on a leadership role this season?
I'm going to lead by working hard. If I'm working hard and others are seeing me do the right things, then I expect them to listen. I want all of us to come together and lead each other. I also want to lead by being vocal and talking to my teammates. I need to know my teammates and who I can hold accountable immediately and who I need to encourage.
Did you go home to San Diego during quarantine?
Yes. It was good being back at home, but I was just working out. I was locked in during my workouts, getting ready to come back here.
Did you get any beach time while at home?
No, I really didn't go to the beach. I was working out. I did have a couple of beach workouts, but that was about it for my beach time.
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