Wayne Ellington is an American former professional basketball player best known for his sharpshooting skills, particularly from beyond the arc. Over the course of his NBA career, he was widely recognized as a reliable perimeter shooter and a solid rotational player. He played for multiple teams in the league, including the New York Knicks toward the latter part of his career.
Wayne Robert Ellington Jr. was born on November 29, 1987, in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. He initially attended Daniel Boone High School in Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, before transferring to Episcopal Academy in Merion, Pennsylvania. He graduated in 2006 and went on to attend the University of North Carolina, where he played college basketball under coach Roy Williams.
At North Carolina, Ellington was a standout performer. He helped lead the Tar Heels to the 2009 NCAA National Championship with a convincing 89–72 victory over the Michigan State Spartans. His standout performance throughout the tournament earned him a place on the NCAA All-Tournament Team and the honor of Most Outstanding Player.
Ellington began his professional basketball career when he was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves as the 28th overall pick in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft. He averaged 6.6 points and 2.1 rebounds per game during his rookie season. In 2012, he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for forward Dante Cunningham. On January 7, 2013, he scored a then career-high 26 points in a 113–81 win over the Sacramento Kings.
A few weeks later, Ellington was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of a deal that sent forward Jon Leuer to Memphis. Ellington’s ability as a three-point shooter earned him roles with various teams over the next few years, including stints with the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Brooklyn Nets.
On July 10, 2016, Ellington signed with the Miami Heat. After recovering from a thigh injury, he made his debut for the team on November 28, 2016. During his time in Miami, he became a key three-point contributor off the bench, particularly during the 2017–18 season, when he set a franchise record for most three-pointers made in a single season.
In July 2019, Ellington signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the New York Knicks. The deal came as the Knicks pursued secondary roster upgrades after missing out on top-tier free agents like Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Kawhi Leonard. His veteran presence and three-point shooting were valued components of the Knicks' bench rotation.
Wayne Ellington is married to Safie Khaled, his longtime partner. The couple welcomed their first child, a son, in March 2017. At the time, Ellington was playing for the Miami Heat. He missed a team shootaround to be with his wife for the birth, and received congratulatory messages from his teammates, who celebrated the arrival of his newborn.
Heat teammate Goran Dragić predicted that Ellington would return to the court energized by the joy and adrenaline of becoming a new father, showcasing the camaraderie and support he enjoyed during his NBA journey.
| Birth Date: | 29 Nov, 1987 |
| Age: | 32 yrs |
| Occupations: | Basketball player |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Wynnewood |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American basketball player |
| Net Worth 2021: | 10 million |
