Ellis Lee: Sparkman Comeback Player

HARVEST- The dreams Ellis Lee had as a young boy was to play basketball. He endured the rigors of youth basketball leagues before tackling prep action at Sparkman High. His dreams became reality until one day prior to his junior year in the Sparkman High athletic training room an examination that just happened by chance revealed Lee was needing expert care for it was discovered he had scoliosis.

Upon further examination by an orthopedic surgeon, Lee was informed he had severe scoliosis and needed surgery to try and correct the curvature of his spine. On Nov. 30, 2016, he had three rods inserted into his back, which caused him to miss his entire junior season of play with the Senators and the possible end to living his dream. After months of physical therapy, Lee fully recovered, was cleared by his surgeon to resume living his dream and he just completed a marvelous season of basketball leading the Senators to the Final Four.

“Going through everything I did with this surgery, I know I can get through anything in my life,” said Lee, son of Ellis Lee, Sr. and Kimberly Crowell.

Sparkman lost a heartbreaker in the semi-finals of the State Tournament to McGill-Toolen 64-61. Lee played 12 minutes in his final game of high school basketball, but scored 13 points while on the floor. “I was waiting on my time to play in that game,” said Lee. “I did what I could to keep us in the game. My plan was to be aggressive once I entered the action.”

The 6-foot-3, 155-pound Lee is looking at possible colleges to continue to play basketball and try and earn a degree in engineering. He will make his decision on what school he will attend at the end of the current school year.

Lee was working out in the athletic training room that day in 2016 when one of the school’s athletic trainers noticed Lee’s back looked different. Lee was encouraged to see a physician about what his condition was. When Lee found out he was to undergo surgery, he, his mother, grandmother and an uncle said prayers at his bedside. Once in surgery and procedure went well, but Lee had difficulty coming out of the anesthesia. The surgical crew worked feverishly to make sure he awoke and after a short and intense time, Lee was among his family and the start of his recovery.

“I stayed in the hospital for five days and those on duty helped me walk around the floors in an attempt to begin my recovery,” added Lee. “I had a lot of pain. I was out of school for a month and a half and I did much of my physical therapy at home. I walked, and walked, and walked. I would lay flat on my back and shoot a basketball straight up into the air to try and keep my touch. Some of my teammates stopped by to check on me. Once I arrived back at school I had schoolmates carry my backpack for me. It was difficult sitting in the chairs in the classrooms.”

He began shooting free throws in the school gym every chance he got. He kept doing his physical therapy and then on May 22, 2017, Lee received the words he was waiting on—he was cleared by his surgeon to resume all basketball duties his body would allow. “It was an amazing feeling to be back on the team and it was very tough on me and my family through the recovery process,” said Lee.

Lee will have the three rods in his back the remainder of his life. He said he is pain free, but the biggest problem with the rods is the fact it sometimes sets off alarms at airports and local stores, which have the sensors for medal detection. He spoke of one incident when he entered a local Dollar General store. “I must have set off an alarm to the manager as I was followed every step I took. When I was approached I told them I have three rods in my back. I usually have to tell stores of my condition. My mother also has my medical card for just such an incident.”

Winner of the Sparkman High Male Wendy’s High School Heisman Award, Lee has worked with elementary school students and is heavily involved with his church. He said he used his own dreams as an inspiration to recover. “It was God’s wish,” said Lee. “He guided me and I took it from there.”