[3] Heavily recruited out of high school, Ellis chose to attend the University of Notre Dame.

Digger Phelps was his head coach until replaced by John Macleod prior to Ellis's senior year.

As a senior captain, Ellis led the team in scoring (17.7 ppg), rebounding (11.7 rpg), field goal percentage (.631), and blocked shots (2.6 bpg).

Ellis was the fifth overall selection in the 1992 NBA draft, picked by the Denver Nuggets, In his rookie season, he averaged 14.7 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks.

Prior to ESPN, he served as a radio commentator for Notre Dame men's basketball.

Ellis was mentioned multiple times on the Nickelodeon series The Secret World of Alex Mack.

In the episode "Nerve" he was said to be star athlete of fictional Danielle Atron Junior High School under Coach Rooney (Glenn Morshower) and record-holder of his signature obstacle course.