With the addition of eight new players who signed with University of South Alabama women's basketball team this past fall and spring, the 2014-15 Jaguars will definitely have a new look next season for second-year head coach Terry Fowler.  Over the course of the summer, www.USAJaguars.com will sit down with all eight of the newcomers for a brief Q&A session.  The fourth newcomer for Jaguar fans to get an inside look at is freshman post player Chyna Ellis.

Ellis comes to South Alabama after prepping at Arlington High School in Cordova, Tenn., located just outside of Memphis.  The 6-2 post player was one of four players to sign with the Jaguars during the fall signing period last season.  Ellis didn't play her senior year at Arlington, but finished the '12-'13 season averaging 16.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and 1.2 steals per game,  while hitting 71.5 percent from the charity stripe. Ellis also shot 47 percent from the field.  

She was ranked as the 158th best player in the 2014 class and the 38th-best at her position according to Girls Basketball Report and chose the Jaguars over Memphis and Middle Tennessee.  Ellis was also rated as a three-star prospect by ProspectsNation.com.

Ellis had 17 double-figure outings as a junior with eight of those going for 20 or more points.  She has twice been named to both the all-district 14 AAA and the 7A all-region teams, earning the honors as a junior and sophomore.  As a junior, she was also the runner up for player of the year honors in her district after helping Arlington and head coach David Offerle to a 19-10 record.    

Ellis sat down with USAJaguars.com to give fans to discuss what she likes about playing basketball, her expectations, and what other sport she would like to play if she could play another, among other things.

You're from Cordova, Tenn.  Have you always lived in Cordova?  For fans unfamiliar with Cordova, what is it close to?
"No sir.  I've lived there since ninth grade.  It's on the outskirts of Memphis, maybe about 30 minutes outside there.  I've lived around Memphis all my life."

When did you start playing basketball?  How did you get involved with the game?
"I started playing when I was young, maybe around the age of eight.  My uncle took me to a church league to play.  I stopped playing for a while and then picked back up with the game around my seventh-grade year."

What do you like most about playing basketball?
"It's fun to me and I like that it's competitive.  It also helps me stay focus and takes my mind off things.  I can just forget about stuff and just do my thing on the court."

What do you believe is a strength of your game and why?
"I'm a good defender and I'm taller than most people.  It's hard for people to get shots up over me.  I also thing I'm efficient in the post."

What factors led to your decision sign with South Alabama?
"When I came here on my visit, I just liked the atmosphere.  The coaches and players were cool.  I also liked that it was warm down here.  I don't like the cold.  They also have some good food down here.  It just felt like it was the best fit for me."

What are you majoring in here at South Alabama and what do you are plan on doing after graduation?
"I'm going into allied health.  I want to be an anesthesiologist when I graduate."

For all of the South Alabama fans that will read this on the web site, what are a few words to describe the kind of player can fans expect to see when they watch you this season?
"Efficient, tough and quick.  At least I feel I'm tough and to be as tall as I am, I think that I move well.  I have long legs so I can run well.  I think those would be my three."

What are some of your expectations for the 2014-15 season, either for the team or yourself?
"I first want us to win the Sun Belt Conference and make it to the NCAA tournament.  As far as myself, I just want to be a team player.  Being a freshman, I don't know how much playing time I'm going to get, but when I do get on the floor, I just want to do good and help my teammates out."

Do you have any talents other than basketball?
"I can sing.  I'm not going to sing right now, but I can sing.  I like to sing, R&B, hip-hop, anything really.  I can also draw a little bit."

If you could play any other sport, what would it be?
"Softball.  I played that sport for two years.  Because our roster on our team, I was actually able to play a bunch of different positions."

Favorite food? Chicken.

Favorite WNBA team? L.A. Sparks.

Favorite Athlete? Candace Parker.

Favorite musical artist(s)? K Camp.

Favorite subject in school? Math.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

"OFF THE COURT" WITH…
Marquita Daniels – 6/19
Simone Potts – 6/24
Genesis Perrymond – 7/3
Chyna Ellis – 7/10
LaNeetra Guillory – TBA
Charisma Matlock – TBA
Amber Yelding – TBA
Amanda Hoover – TBA

-- USA --