Long Beach State University Athletics
James Ennis Signs With Miami Heat
7/15/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
July 15, 2014
Long Beach, Calif. - 2012-13 Big West Player of the Year and former Long Beach State star James Ennis officially came to terms with the Miami Heat one year after his rights were acquired by the club following the 2013 NBA Draft. The contract was announced by the Heat Tuesday, while terms were not disclosed.
Ennis played for Long Beach State over the course of two seasons, joining the team in 2011-12, and earning a starting role for a team that reached the program's 9th NCAA Tournament after rolling to both the Big West regular-season and tournament titles. Ennis averaged 10.0 points per game for that team, and then returned for his senior season as the unquestioned leader of the 2012-13 team.
As a senior, Ennis averaged 16.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, both team highs, as he led the 49ers to a third-straight regular season championship and a third consecutive postseason appearance. Ennis also earned Big West Player of the Year honors, and was invited to the NCAA Division I Dunk Contest following the conclusion of that campaign.
His stellar play led Ennis to become the first 49er drafted for Long Beach State since Andrew Betts was selected in 1998. Picked by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2nd Round with the 50th overall selection, Ennis was part of a draft day trade to the Miami Heat, which held his rights through the last NBA season.
Following his selection, Ennis reported to the Perth Wildcats of the Australian Basketball League, and put in a star turn, averaging 21.2 points per game and 7.2 rebounds per game, leading the Wildcats to the ABL championship. Ennis was a First Team All-ABL selection, and finished third in the MVP voting.
Returning stateside, Ennis has played in all six NBA Summer League games for the Heat, averaging 15.5 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting over 50 percent from the field, and 48.1 percent from beyond the arc.
"We were excited to draft James a year ago and have been impressed by the growth of his game in Summer League and Puerto Rico, as well as his terrific experience in Australia, leading Perth to a championship," said Miami President Pat Riley on the team's official website. "We are looking forward to the infusion of energy he will bring to our roster."
