INDIANAPOLIS – After playing integral roles in the Hartford men's basketball team's back-to-back America East Championship Game appearances — and the program's first-ever America East Championship and NCAA Tournament bid in 2021 — former grad transfer Malik Ellison and grad student Traci Carter have been selected to participate in the 2021 Dos Equis 3X3U National Championship.
 
Scheduled for April 2-4 at The Pavilion in Indianapolis, the event welcomes a combination of seniors from the Class of 2021, and standouts from the Class of 2020 looking to reemerge on the national scene after having their postseasons cut short last year.
 
2021 Rosters & Pool Assignments | Daily Schedule | Watch Live
 
Ellison takes the place of current grad student and former teammate Traci Carter, who was initially invited to represent the America East, but was unable to attend the Championship. A two-time America East All-Conference honoree who earned Second Team distinction this past season, he led the Hawks to the program's first-ever America East Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance after averaging 11.7 points, 3.5 steals, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals in 2020-21.

Ellison, who joined the Hawks as a grad transfer for the 2019-20 season, was a First Team All-Conference selection who became the second player in program history to earn National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division I All-District honors (Second Team).

A native Voorhees, N.J., Ellison, who led the America East and ranked No. 37 in the nation with 9.7 rebounds per game, closed out his lone season at Hartford averaging 18.7 points per game behind 20 double-figure scoring games. During America East play, he was the only player in the league to average a double-double with 19.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game.

Ellison helped lead Hartford to its first of two consecutive appearances in the America East Championship Game in 2020. The Hawks finished 18-15 overall in his only season with the team.

Joining Ellison on the America East/MAAC roster is UAlbany's Ahmad Clark, Niagara's Kobi Nwandu and Siena's Manny Camper.

The third-annual 3-on-3 event, which will be closed to the public, will run through Sunday and take place at The Pavilion in downtown Indianapolis.

Sixty-four players, who have elected to begin their professional careers, will represent all 32 Division I conferences and compete for their share of the $150,000 prize pool by teaming up with other aspiring pro prospects from around the country. All 16 teams will be separated in one of two pools, meaning more guaranteed games and more chances to take home their share of the $150,000 prize pool. 

Teams will play each squad in their respective pool on Friday and Saturday before all 16 will head to the knockout stage on Sunday, with the top two teams from each pool receiving byes to the quarterfinals. The winning team from each pool play game will win $1,000, victories in the first two knockout rounds will net another $1,000, a quarterfinal win is worth $5,000, a semifinal triumph is another $10,000, while the team that takes home the Tournament title will add $50,000 to their winnings. 

This year, the Tournament will once again receive non-stop coverage via Twitter and on ESPN2. Every second of the 2021 Dos Equis 3X3U National Championship will be available to a national audience beginning with pool play games on Friday and Saturday, and knockout rounds on Sunday. Twitter will be the exclusive home of pool play games, as well as the first three knockout rounds. ESPN2 will air the semifinal and championship contests.  

The voice of FIBA 3x3 Basketball, Kyle Montgomery, returns to the 3X3U airwaves alongside NCAA All-American, NBA Draft pick, ESPN analyst and 3x3 Olympic hopeful Robbie Hummel to call every game of the 2021 Tournament. Tate Frazier and Mark Titus of the Titus & Tate Podcast will also suit up as the hosts of the Dos Equis Lounge to provide commentary, postgame interviews and more over the three-day experience. The complete broadcast schedule can be found below:

2021 Dos Equis 3X3U National Championship Broadcast Schedule (All times are ET) 

Date	Tournament Schedule	Time	Live Coverage
Friday, April 2	Pool Play (32 games)	11:30 a.m.	Twitter - @3X3UHoops
Saturday, April 3	Pool Play (24 games)	8:30 a.m.	Twitter - @3X3UHoops
Sunday, April 4	Play-In & Quarterfinal Games	10:30 a.m.	Twitter - @3X3UHoops
Sunday, April 4	Semifinal & Championship Games	3:30 p.m.	ESPN2

The Tournament has created COVID-19 protocols that are consistent with local guidelines and designed to maximize the health and safety of participating players. The plan includes multiple rounds of testing for participating players, along with physical distancing recommendations and other health and safety measures that adhere to local regulations.
 
For more information on the Dos Equis 3X3U National Championship, including event updates, details, rules and more, follow us on Twitter at @3X3UHoops or online at www.3X3UHoops.com.