Get To Know Sharpshooter Ellery Minch Early
- Updated: May 30, 2020
Ellery Minch is not your average player who should be heading to her first year of high school. She is quickly emerging as a top prospect in the class of 2024 in the state of Indiana and the Midwest. She has the work ethic on the court and has been perfect in the classroom.
Long, skilled and graceful, the 6’2″ wing is known for her deep range shooting, but she is more than just a shooter. Trainer Kris Simpson, who was the all time leading scorer at Michigan State well after her playing days and went on to play professionally in Sweden, has worked with Minch since she was a third grader and sees a bright future.
“Yes, Ellery can shoot. And from deep, NBA + range. But I will not just let her be a shooter. With her size, she can score from every area on the floor, taking advantage of smaller defenders”, Simpson says. “Her goal (and mine) would be a top D1 program, and I don’t mean just any D1 program, I mean top 10. I’ve coached a lot of talent over the years and I’m telling you, Ellery is that good,” she says. “She is not a kid that only works when the conditions are ideal (in a gym, nice day outside). Every day, she is putting in work on her game.”
The hard work is paying off as Minch appears headed for a contributing role out of the gate at Mount Vernon (Fortville) as a freshman. The Marauders finished with a 22-2 record and #7 Class 4A ranking last year but will lose some pieces from a top team.
“I’ve set my goals high for next year both on and off the court,” says Minch, who was a member of National Junior Honor Society and a Mt. Vernon School Board Scholar. “I want to start varsity and do anything I can to help my team make a deep run in the state tournament.”
Team Teague 2024 head coach Cory Majors believes Minch will be ready.
“Ellery is a fabulous leader,” he says and “is a model player that leads by example with effort, attitude and respect for her coaches and the game. She has been one of the most coachable kids I have ever had, whether girls or boys.” Coach Majors echoes Kris Simpson’s praise for Minch’s game, saying, “While Ellery is most known for her long range shooting, and I feel is absolutely one of the best in the country, she is also a fantastic rebounder and shot blocker. Honestly, there are no weaknesses in her game.”
In addition to length (6’5″ wing span) and deep range, Minch also goes even harder in the classroom. She is a straight A student. That’s lifetime straight A. She is the epitome of student-athlete.
“She’s yet to even receive a B in any class thus far”, says her mom Christine, a successful attorney. “Ellery has been the perfect kid. I know a lot of parents say their children are perfect, but Ellery is as close to it as they come. She is a kind, gentle hearted young lady, who genuinely cares about and is always willing to help her classmates and teammates achieve their goals.”
While Minch credits her parents for stressing the importance of good time management and having a good balance between sports and academics, the on-the-court killer instinct is also coming as Minch has aspirations to play both at the major college level and professionally someday. Dad Ted played basketball at both Florida Atlantic and Marian University, and Ellery gets her shooting technique from him. Having the overall support of parents, coaches and trainers has helped motivate Minch to just go for it.
“My parents have always stressed the importance of good time management and have really helped me find a good balance between sports and academics”, she says. “I’d like to play basketball overseas after college and after that go to med school to become a neurosurgeon”.
While the spring and summer season this year will be abbreviated, Minch has still done everything she can to stay ready. Shawn Teague, owner of The Factory gym and the Team Teague AAU program, raves about Minch’s “size and her ability as a knockdown shooter”. And Teague would know as the father of two NBA sons.
Keep a close watch on Ellery Minch for seasons to come.
