Jah-Leah Ellis joined the Yeshiva University women's basketball program as an assistant coach in September of 2020.
Ellis had an illustrious collegiate playing career. She played two seasons for the College of New Rochelle women’s basketball team, from 2013-2015. During her time playing for CNR, she twice earned the Association of Division III Independents Player of the Year honors, as well as a pair of inductions onto the All-Independent team.
In her first year with the Blue Angels, Ellis earned a spot on the D3hoops.com All-East third team, as well as the All-Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association third team. She recorded 20.0 points, 15.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.
In her senior year (2014-15), amongst Division III, Ellis was ranked No. 5 in defensive rebounds per game (9). Across all three divisions, the forward was ranked No. 1 in offensive rebounds per game (7.0), No. 2 in total rebounds per game (15.8), No. 5 in double-doubles (20), and No. 10 in defensive rebounds per game (9.0).
The Harlem native was named CNR’s Most Valuable Player twice and led the Blue Angels to its first conference championship since the 1985-86 season.
Prior to her time at College of New Rochelle, Ellis played two seasons with Kilgore College (2009-2011) and served as team captain during her sophomore year.
A few years after graduating from CNR, Ellis played for the Beaufort Bisons, of the Women’s Blue Chip Basketball League, during the 2017-18 season. She averaged a double-double (24.3 points and 12.4 rebounds) per game. Thanks to her strong performance, she was selected to WBCBL All-Star first team.
No stranger to coaching, Ellis served as the head coach of the Frisch girls varsity basketball team for two seasons (2018-2020) leading her team to a combined record of 18-2, including an undefeated season during her second year.
Ellis has over five years of coaching and developing experience, including coaching stints at Harlem United (2015-2019), and the United Nations International School (2015-2017).
Currently residing in the Bronx, N.Y., Ellis earned her associate degree in arts from Kilgore College in 2011. She received her bachelor’s degree in communication arts from College of New Rochelle in 2015.
