Washington Wizards: 30 greatest players in franchise history

6-foot-9 big man Pervis Ellison became a household name as a member of the Bullets from 1990-1994. He was originally drafted to the Sacramento Kings as the first overall pick in the 1989 NBA Draft. Ellison was part of a three-team blockbuster trade that saw Jeff Malone go to the Utah Jazz, while Bob Hansen and Eric Leckner along with draft picks were sent to  Sacramento in exchange for Ellison.

In his first full season with the Bullets (1990-91), Ellison produced 10.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. During 1991-92, he had a breakout season, putting up 20.0 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.7 blocks per game. As a result, he took home the league’s Most Improved Player award.

He poured in a career-high 1,322 points, 740 rebounds and 190 assists in his 64 appearances that season, although Washington finished the season with a 25-57 record. Ellison was a double-double machine despite the landscape around him, snagging 45 double-doubles on his way to the Most Improved Player award.

He took a step back during the 1993-94 season, averaging 7.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game in just 47 appearances. Injuries cut his time short with the club, as Washington ended up releasing him during the 1994 offseason. Ellison would have two more stints with the Boston Celtics and Seattle SuperSonics before being waived in December 2000.