Gopher decommit Ellis signs with Michigan State

Former Tubby Smith recruit Alvin Ellis will be a Michigan State Spartan next season after decommitting from the Gophers a month ago.

A three-star forward from De La Salle in Chicago, Ellis wanted out from Minnesota a week after Smith was fired as the Gopher head coach. The news of Ellis’ release from his letter of intent lead the story of Richard Pitino’s hiring by a few hours.

Ellis was Smith’s first Class of 2013 recruit. Smith’s second recruit, Alex Foster, had his scholarship offer revoked by the Gophers a few weeks ago.

Since dumping Smith’s recruiting class, Pitino and the new assistant coaching staff have signed high school senior Daquein McNeil, a former FIU commit.

A few other names have also seemingly expressed interest in playing for Pitino including former Louisville forward Rakeem Buckles, a four-star recruit in high school, and Memphis forward Tarik Black.

The Gophers lost a player this week in St. Paul-native Chris Halvorsen. He will look to transfer to another school for his senior season.

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