What Is Monta Ellis Net Worth?
Monta Ellis, born on October 26, 1985, is an American former professional basketball player whose estimated net worth stands at $31 million as of 2024. His wealth is primarily attributed to his successful NBA career, which spanned from 2005 to 2017, playing for teams like the Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Dallas Mavericks, and Indiana Pacers. Ellis’s financial success is a testament to his skills on the court and the lucrative contracts he secured throughout his career.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Monta Ellis was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. He gained prominence as a basketball prodigy at Lanier High School. During his senior season in 2004–05, he averaged an impressive 38.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 4.5 steals per game, leading Lanier to a state championship. Ellis’s exceptional performance earned him national recognition, including being named a McDonald’s All-American and Mr. Basketball USA in 2005. Instead of pursuing a college basketball career at Mississippi State University, Ellis chose to enter the 2005 NBA Draft directly from high school. The Golden State Warriors selected him as the 40th overall pick in the second round, marking the beginning of his professional basketball journey.
NBA Career and Contract Details
Ellis’s NBA career saw him play for several teams, each contributing significantly to his overall earnings. His first NBA contract was a 3-year rookie deal with the Golden State Warriors, signed on August 5, 2005, totaling $1,883,581. This contract had a cap hit ranging from $448,762 to $770,610. His breakthrough performance and consistent scoring led to a significant contract extension with the Warriors on July 24, 2008, a 6-year deal worth $66 million, equating to an annual cap hit of $11 million. During his time with the Warriors, Ellis established himself as a dynamic scorer, averaging close to 25 points per game on two occasions. After six and a half seasons with Golden State, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in March 2012.
On July 23, 2013, Ellis signed a three-year, $25 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks. In his debut with the Mavericks on October 30, 2013, he scored 32 points in a 118–109 win over the Atlanta Hawks. Later, on July 14, 2015, Ellis signed a four-year, $44 million contract with the Indiana Pacers. This contract had a cap hit ranging from $10,300,000 to $11,690,500. However, on July 6, 2017, Ellis was waived by the Pacers, with the team using the stretch provision to spread out the remaining $11.2 million owed to him over five seasons, resulting in an annual cap hit of $2.24 million through the 2021-22 season.
Across his NBA career, Monta Ellis earned an estimated $104,008,681 in salary. This figure does not include potential earnings from endorsements or other off-court ventures. His annual salaries varied, reflecting his performance and market value at different stages of his career. For example, in the 2009 season, Ellis made $11,000,000, marking one of his highest single-season earnings. Even after being waived by the Pacers, Ellis continued to receive payments, with the Pacers allocating $2,245,400 each year from 2017 to 2021 to fulfill the terms of his contract.
Endorsements and Other Ventures
In addition to his NBA salaries, Monta Ellis also supplemented his income through endorsement deals. He was a signature athlete for AND1 until 2011, releasing the And1 ME8 Empire Mid shoe. Later, he signed an endorsement deal with Jordan Brand in 2014 after several years of wearing their shoes. The specific financial details of these endorsement deals have not been publicly disclosed.
Career Statistics and Achievements
Monta Ellis played in 833 total games during his NBA career, averaging 17.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. His career field goal percentage was 45.1%, and his three-point field goal percentage was 31.4%. Ellis achieved several notable milestones, including winning the NBA Most Improved Player Award in 2007. In the 2007–08 season, he averaged a career-high 20.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.53 steals in 81 games, ranking 14th in the NBA in field goal percentage (.531) and 15th in steals.
Post-NBA Career
After being waived by the Indiana Pacers in 2017, Monta Ellis has remained out of the NBA. Since his retirement, Ellis has been involved in various activities, including mentoring young athletes and participating in community outreach programs. He has also reportedly invested in real estate and other business opportunities.