Cheshire Phoenix have continued their summer recruitment with the capture of ex-NBA D-League ace Akeem Ellis.

The 6ft 6ins 25-year-old forward, a strong three-point shooter and tenacious rebounder, played for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the D-League during the 2013-2014 season, playing 36 times for the Texas outfit.

Ellis, who hails from Brooklyn, New York, graduated from Coppin State University in Baltimore where he averaged almost 13 points per game and six rebounds in his two years with the NCAA Division One school, where he was a starter, having spent the two years previous at Herkimer County Community College in New York.

He played his professional basketball in Canada's NBL, averaging 15 points and five rebounds per game in his 30 appearances for the Ontario-based club.

WATCH: Akeem Ellis NBA D-League highlight reel

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Phoenix general manager James Brice said: “It is a big signing for us in getting Akeem to join the club. He is a versatile player who can play in a number of different positions and is strong offensively as well as being a tough rebounder. He will be a big asset.

“We've been chasing him all summer and the calibre of the teams he has played with and opponents he has faced means he will be a great competitor in the BBL.

“We spoke at length with Akeem about the direction we want to take the club and what the plans are and he bought into it totally. We're excited to have him join us.”

Ellis joins David Aliu, Martyn Gayle, Sedale Hanson-Young, Jeff Dirkin, Sean McGonagill and Will Faiivae on the Cheshire roster for the forthcoming BBL season, which begins at Leeds Force on Friday, September 18 (7.30pm).

He could be joined by one more US import in the next fortnight, with the club believed to be close to announcing the capture of what is likely to be their final signing of the summer.