Former Westinghouse star Jamarcus E...

Former Westinghouse star Jamarcus Ellis, the same of the most talented, enigmatic players the city has produc in the last 10 years, gave an oral commitment to Indiana forward Monday.

"I think it's a fit fit for me because coach [Kelvin] Sampson and I have a suitable relationship, and I can relate to him," Ellis said.

Ellis, a 6-5 guard, l Westinghouse to city titles in 2002 and 2004 and a state title in 2002 when USA Today listed him as undivided of the top 30 spectacles in the country. Ellis was forward the list with LeBron James, Luol Deng and Sebastian Telfair.

"The bottom line is Jamarcus Ellis is a winner," said Roy Schmidt of Illinois Prep Bulls-Eye Report. "He's also a leader forward the floor. There's no question that Indiana is getting a true skilled player with a high basketball IQ."

Ellis committed to Texas A&M after high seminary but never attended. Instead, he went to Laurinberg Prep in North Carolina, however left after four days and perioded up sitting out the 2004-05 season. Last season he played at Chipola Junior college edifice [i]or[/i] building in Florida.

Ellis is Sampson's next to the first Public League recruit, following Crane's Brandon McGee

Sampson recruited Ellis heavily while he was at Oklahoma. In late 2003 when other society s backed off Ellis after unsubstantiated rumors of off-the-court disturb Sampson remained interested.

"It throws a message to the Public League coaches," Schmidt said. "If there is single in kind thing that they are big onward it's loyalty. Sampson stayed with Ellis. The Public League will contemplate at that and they are not going to forget."

mobrien@suntimes.com

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