VIDALIA, La. — Ronald Ellis knows Grambling University is in a rebuilding stage in basketball. Ellis wants to help that building process after signing a scholarship with the Tigers Wednesday.

&uot;It feels great,&uot; said the 6-foot-2 Viking senior guard, who averaged 18 points a game this past season, hitting 51.5 percent of his shots and 74.5 percent of his free throws. Ellis also pulled down 381 rebounds and had 109 assists.

Ellis said his decision came down to Southwestern Athletic Conference schools Grambling and Alcorn.

&uot;I like the coaches and the players I came in contact with at Grambling,&uot; he said. &uot;I&160;know they are rebuilding, and I want to try and do something good for Grambling and be a part of that.&uot;

Ellis, who was named honorable mention all-state Wednesday, will be playing the No. 2 guard position.

&uot;With a lot of hard work I feel like I can play right away,&uot; he said. &uot;I’ve been working on my ball-handling and quickness. I know I have to get more physical.&uot;

Ellis, who scored 1,701 points in his career at Vidalia, he believes his shooting ability is his strong suit. He scored 36 points against Crowville this past season.

Vidalia lost to Coushatta in the first round of the playoffs this past season, finishing 29-4.

&uot;I’m really going to miss my coaches and teammates and the whole environment,&uot;&160;he said. &uot;It’s been fun. We’ve had a winning season every year but my sophomore year.&uot;

Ellis, who scored a 19 on his ACT&160;and carries a 3.4 grade point average, said he plans on majoring in accounting. He plans to spend a lot of time in the gym this summer. &uot;I’m really going to be working on my game,&uot; he said.