VC Alumnus James Ennis III '11 Re-Signs with NBA's Magic
The Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association have re-signed free agent forward and Ventura College alumnus James Ennis III '11, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced Wednesday. Ennis, a Ventura High School product, played for the Pirates in 2010-11, averaging 20.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists leading VC to a 22-7 overall record and the best mark in the Western State Conference North Division at 10-2. He earned first team All-State and All-WSC honors his sophomore season with the Pirates.
The Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association have re-signed free agent forward and Ventura College alumnus James Ennis III '11, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced Wednesday. Ennis, a Ventura High School product, played for the Pirates in 2010-11, averaging 20.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists leading VC to a 22-7 overall record and the best mark in the Western State Conference North Division at 10-2. He earned first team All-State and All-WSC honors his sophomore season with the Pirates.
Ennis played in 69 games (18 starts) last season with both Philadelphia and Orlando, averaging 6.6 ppg. and 3.6 rpg. in 18.3 minpg. He was acquired by the Magic on Feb. 6 from Philadelphia in exchange for a 2020 second round draft pick. Ennis appeared in 20 games (18 starts) with Orlando, averaging 8.4 ppg., 4.8 rpg. and 1.1 apg. in 24.5 minpg. He scored in double figures 16 times (eight times with Orlando) and 20+ points once, including a season-high 20 points on Nov. 29 @ New York. Ennis also played and started in five playoff outings, averaging 7.0 ppg., 5.8 rpg., 1.2 apg. and 1.00 stlpg. in 23.8 minpg.
Originally selected in the second round (50th overall pick) in the 2013 NBA Draft, Ennis has appeared in 347 career NBA regular season games (103 starts) with Miami, Memphis, New Orleans, Detroit, Houston, Philadelphia and Orlando, averaging 6.5 ppg. and 3.3 rpg. in 20.1 minpg. He has also played in 22 career playoff games (nine starts), averaging 7.6 ppg., 4.4 rpg. and 1.1 apg. in 23.2 minpg.
Ennis transferred from Ventura College to Long Beach State, where he was a two-year standout for the 49ers, helping the team to a combined 43-23 record, 29-5 in the Big West Conference. He averaged 13.2 points, 5.4 boards and 3.8 dimes over his 67-game career, helping the 49ers to the 2012 Big West Championship and an NCAA Tournament berth. He was twice named All-Big West and was the conference Player of the Year as a senior, also earning honorable mention-All-American honors.