Devonte Elliott is beginning to live up to his huge potential.
The 6-foot-10 Nevada Wolf Pack center had 11 points and eight rebounds in just 16 minutes off the bench last Saturday in a 75-59 victory over Boise State.
"In the first half I was in foul trouble and I was itching to get out there," the junior said. "So when I was out there I just tried to do whatever it took."
Elliott, who averaged under two points and three rebounds a game in just under 10 minutes a game over his first two seasons at Nevada, is averaging 6.5 points and 4.3 rebounds this season in just over 18 minutes a game.
He's developed a deadly jump shot from 15 feet in, especially when he gets open at the top of the key.
""I take those shot attempts in practice so it felt pretty good," Elliott said.
Elliott has already set a career high for blocks this season at 16 and his .532 field goal percentage is a drastic improvement over his freshman (.364) and sophomore (.373) seasons.
Pack head coach David Carter is not surprised to see Elliott's improvement.
"It is just a matter of playing more consistent minutes," Carter said. "He's becoming more consistent and we feel he can get us 10-12 points every night."
Elliott has led the Wolf Pack in rebounding in three of the last eight games against Boise State (eight), Wyoming (11) and Cal State San Marcos (seven).
"I was just real active," said Elliott of his performance against Boise. "It's just a mindset."
Carter wants Elliott to crash the boards.
"The coaches were telling me to get every rebound," Elliott said.
Elliott's has played in all 19 Pack games this year with eight starts. His season has seemed to turn around after a 78-72 loss at Pacific on Dec. 4 when he played just five minutes and didn't score or get a rebound.
"My coaches keep telling me not to get down on myself," Elliott said. "I talked to Coach Carter and he told me not to get down on myself after a I shoot a shot or make a mistake. He told me to just continue to play."
