College of New Rochelle junior forward Jah-Leah Ellis (Harlem, N.Y.; the Hun School of Princeton) has been named the Association of Division III Independents (AD31) Women’s Basketball Player of the Year and headlines the 2013-2014 All-Independent teams that were announced by the conference recently. This marks the first time a Blue Angel has received Player of the Year honors from AD3I. Ellis is one of four Blue Angels who were recognized with All-Independent status.
Ellis adds First Team All-Independent honors to her Player of the Year accolade after posting a breakout season in her first year at the College of New Rochelle. The forward ranked first in the conference for rebounds per game (15.2), second for points per game (20), third for assists per game (3.6), fourth for field goal percentage (45.2 percent) and fifth in steals per game (2.3). Ellis was named AD3I Women’s Basketball Player of the Week three times and was the AD3I Student-Athlete of the Month for November.
Ellis is ranked among the NCAA Division III leaders in rebounding average (No. 2), double-doubles (No. 7) and scoring average (No. 26). Her all-around talent was exemplified with two 30-point, 20-rebound games—the first time that had been accomplished by a Blue Angel since the 2007-2008 season. Ellis helped the College of New Rochelle capture its first ever Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title to close out a 16-win season that marked the fifth straight season the Blue Angels had increased their win total.