History of Wayne Ellington in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: January 23, 2025

Wayne Ellington Jr. is an American professional basketball coach and former player currently working as a player development coach for the Miami Heat. He played college basketball for the University of North Carolina before being drafted into the NBA in 2009 by the Minnesota Timberwolves. His shooting prowess earned him the nickname "The Man With The Golden Arm". After leaving UNC following his junior year, he had a lengthy NBA career, known for his three-point shooting ability.

November 29, 1987: Birth of Wayne Ellington

Wayne Robert Ellington Jr. was born on November 29, 1987.

2006: Freshman Year at UNC

Ellington played in all 38 games for the ACC Champion Tar Heels in the 2006-2007 season.

2006: High School Senior and UNC Recruit

In 2006, Wayne Ellington was a five-star recruit, ranked as the No. 1 shooting guard and No. 8 overall player in the nation, subsequently joining the University of North Carolina.

2006: Top Recruit

Wayne Ellington was considered a five-star recruit by Rivals.com in 2006.

2007: ACC All-Tournament Team and Pan American Games

Ellington was named to the 2007 ACC All-Tournament Team and played for the U.S. national team at the 2007 Pan American Games.

January 6, 2008: Career High at Clemson

On January 6, 2008, Ellington scored a then career-high 36 points against Clemson, hitting the game-winning three-pointer.

April 23, 2009: Enters NBA Draft

Ellington declared for the 2009 NBA draft on April 23, 2009.

2009: Rookie Season with Timberwolves

Ellington averaged 6.6 points and 2.1 rebounds per game during his rookie season with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2009.

2009: NBA Draft

Wayne Ellington forgoes his final year of college eligibility and is drafted 28th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2009 NBA draft.

July 24, 2012: Traded to Memphis Grizzlies

On July 24, 2012, Ellington was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.

November 11, 2012: Career-High Against Miami Heat

Ellington scored a career-high 25 points against the Miami Heat on November 11, 2012.

January 7, 2013: New Career-High Against Sacramento Kings

Ellington set a new career-high with 26 points against the Sacramento Kings on January 7, 2013.

January 22, 2013: Traded to Cleveland Cavaliers

Ellington was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 22, 2013.

July 26, 2013: Signs with Dallas Mavericks

Ellington signed with the Dallas Mavericks on July 26, 2013.

June 25, 2014: Traded to New York Knicks

Ellington was traded to the New York Knicks on June 25, 2014.

August 6, 2014: Traded to Sacramento Kings

On August 6, 2014, Ellington was traded to the Sacramento Kings.

September 3, 2014: Waived by Sacramento Kings

Ellington was waived by the Sacramento Kings on September 3, 2014.

September 22, 2014: Signs with Los Angeles Lakers

Ellington signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on September 22, 2014.

November 11, 2014: Father's Death and Leave of Absence

Ellington took a leave of absence from the Lakers after his father was shot and killed on November 11, 2014.

November 21, 2014: Returns to Lakers

Ellington returned to the Lakers on November 21, 2014, after a brief leave of absence.

January 27, 2015: Career-High Against Washington Wizards

Ellington scored a career-high 28 points against the Washington Wizards on January 27, 2015.

April 2, 2015: Season-Ending Shoulder Injury

Ellington's season ended due to a shoulder injury on April 2, 2015.

July 10, 2015: Signs with Brooklyn Nets

Ellington signed with the Brooklyn Nets on July 10, 2015.

December 28, 2015: Season-High Against Miami Heat

On December 28, 2015, Ellington scored a season-high 26 points against the Miami Heat.

April 27, 2016: J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award

Ellington received the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award on April 27, 2016.

July 10, 2016: Signs with Miami Heat

Ellington signed with the Miami Heat on July 10, 2016.

November 28, 2016: Heat Debut

Ellington made his debut for the Heat on November 28, 2016, after recovering from a thigh injury.

December 22, 2017: Ties Career-High Against Mavericks

Ellington tied his career-high with 28 points and hit a career-high eight 3-pointers against the Dallas Mavericks on December 22, 2017.

March 21, 2018: 200th 3-Pointer of the Season

Ellington hit his 200th 3-pointer of the season on March 21, 2018, in a game against the New York Knicks.

April 11, 2018: New Career-High and 3-Point Record

On April 11, 2018, Ellington set a new career-high with 32 points and broke the Miami Heat single-season record for 3-pointers made with 227.

July 13, 2018: Re-signs with Miami Heat

Ellington re-signed with the Miami Heat on July 13, 2018.

February 6, 2019: Traded to Phoenix Suns

On February 6, 2019, Ellington was traded to the Phoenix Suns.

February 9, 2019: Signs with Detroit Pistons

Ellington signed with the Detroit Pistons on February 9, 2019.

July 9, 2019: Signs with New York Knicks

Ellington signed with the New York Knicks on July 9, 2019.

October 23, 2019: Knicks Debut

Ellington made his Knicks debut on October 23, 2019.

February 8, 2020: Season-High with Knicks

Ellington scored a season-high 17 points with the Knicks against the Pistons on February 8, 2020.

November 19, 2020: Waived by Knicks

Ellington was waived by the Knicks on November 19, 2020.

December 2, 2020: Re-signs with Pistons

Ellington signed with the Pistons on December 2, 2020.

March 3, 2021: Season-High with Pistons

Ellington scored a season-high 25 points against the Raptors on March 3, 2021.

August 6, 2021: Signs with Los Angeles Lakers

Ellington signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on August 6, 2021.

April 10, 2022: Season-High with Lakers

Ellington had a season-high 18 points against the Nuggets on April 10, 2022.

September 29, 2023: Becomes Player Development Coach for Miami Heat

The Miami Heat hired Ellington as a player development coach on September 29, 2023.

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