Men's Basketball Announces New Staff Members

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Henderson State men's basketball coach Jimmy Elgas announced the additions of LaPhonso Ellis, Jr. and Trey Totheroh as assistant coaches Monday. Both coaches look to continue the excellence and tradition of development of Reddie players under Elgas, including assistant coaches at programs like Tennessee, Memphis, and Evansville, and head coaches at high schools throughout the United States.

Ellis is in his sixth year as a coach after a 10-year playing career overseas. After graduating from Greenville University (Ill.), he spent time in Germany, Italy, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Malaysia, and China. Ellis then started his own AAU program, Zoski Elite, which he coached from 2020 to 2024. His first stop on the high school circuit was as varsity coach at Carnahan High School in Saint Louis, Missouri, before stops at Montgomery County (Mo.) and Premier Academy of Houston before entering the college ranks. Coach Ellis served as an assistant coach, associate head coach, and interim head coach at Dallas College-Eastfield; during his tenure, the Harvester Bees were 39-22, highlighted by a 21-8 record and a South Central District semifinal appearance in 2022-23.

Coach Ellis comes from a basketball family, as his father, LaPhonso Ellis, played 11 years in the NBA with the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Miami Heat. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team for the 1992-93 season with the Nuggets.

Totheroh comes to Henderson after a season as lead assistant coach at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, Iowa, where he served under head coach Jason McKinney. He has also served as a coach at multiple basketball camps, including We Are Basketball, Snow Valley Basketball School, and Iowa Lakes Basketball Club. Coach Totheroh also served as the head coach of the Iowa Prep AAU program.

Totheroh played four years at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, where he was a two-time winner of the Ram Pride award. He was a member of the Rams' winningest senior class in program history and also served as a student assistant coach.

"Coach Ellis and Coach Totheroh are incredible additions to our staff. They are exactly what we look for in continuing our championship environment," said Coach Elgas. " Both are hard-working, tough-minded, servant leaders who were born to coach, as they put player development and relationship above everything else. They have been tirelessly working since they arrived on campus. Zo and Trey continue the long line of assistant coaches who have helped us win at Henderson."

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