Wayne Ellington played just one season for the Los Angeles Lakers, but he left a positive impact while with the purple-and-gold. For fans, they will remember Ellington for his efforts on both ends of the court and his ability to shoot from behind the arc.
During the 2014-15 season, Ellington averaged 10.0 points and 3.2 rebounds per game, a solid contribution given his role. However, for Ellington his time with the Lakers was not defined by number, but instead of what happened off the court.
In a recent article on The Players’ Tribune, Ellington reflected on what his father meant to him and how he wants to continue his legacy after his sudden death. The two men had a very strong bond and despite the tragedy, Ellington is doing his best to stay positive.
One day, I’m going to have kids, and I’m looking forward to telling them about Pops. I’m going to tell them about how he used to coach me at the Y. And how excited he would be to get them started in basketball, and to teach them how to shoot a fade like Kobe. And I’m going to tell them how much he would have loved them, and how his love now exists through me.
Ellington is planning on bringing the Peace Games to his native Philadelphia this fall. The objective of the event is to bring together children of different neighborhoods that experience a lot of gun violence. The Peace Games tries to spread the message of friendship, instead of hatred among the children.
Although his father is no longer with us, there is no doubt he is proud of the man Wayne Ellington has become and all that he has accomplished on and off the court.
You can read the piece in its entirety at The Players’ Tribune.