Cody Ellis’ LOI finally crossed the Pacific and reached SLU, so he’s officially there now and, while I hate to make conclusions without having seen a guy play, but he could be a very significant acquisition for the Billikens.

(By the way, with Cody Ellis and Cory Remekun and Jeff Reid and Willie Reed, I’m pretty likely to mess someone’s name up at some point. My apologies in advance.)

Ellis is a 6-8 power forward who shot 42 percent on 3-pointers. (Got to confess I’m not sure if that’s at the international line or some other distance, but it’s almost certainly longer than the American high school 3-point line.) “Cody gives us a dimension we currently do not have - an outside shooting big man who can knock down the 3-pointer, yet can post up with authority and rebound,” Majerus said in SLU’s release. “Cody will be perfect in our NBA set pick and pop plays and will fit well into our motion offense. We expect him to become a go-to-guy, both on the block and outside for the three.” He then compared Ellis and his family — his father Mike played pro basketball in Australia and for the Australian national team — to the Lisch family. And as Majerus often said of Kevin, he was “part of a subset of one.”

I spoke a few minutes ago with Majerus, who’s on the road recruiting. “First of all, he’s a good young guy, who has a passion for the game,” he said. “He’s been well coached, he’s got a big body and can knock down an outside shot. He gives us a dimension we don’t have and haven’t had.”

I asked him if having two Aussies would help both players adjust to life in America. He agreed, but also noted that Lisch and Liddell rooted for each other and helped each other even though they had little in common.

“I really feel having someone from Australia, someone to talk Australia with, I think that will be an asset to each other,” Majerus said. ”They’ll certainly feel part of team. When they visited, they had two entirely different visits at two different times. Cody came out in the middle of season, Christian before the season started. They met with the players on their own terms, so to speak, and that was good.”

“I just like him. I like his big body, I like his skills. He and Christian will be good for each other. They’re their own unique people. Christian is more organized. They’re different types of players. Cody is more of a scorer, Christian more of a perimeter shooter.”

Ellis and Salecich are both on the Australian team that will be competing at the world under-19 tournament in New Zealand this summer. Majerus said he was tentatively planning to attend to look at them and other potential recruits.

SLU is still in the market for a 1/2 guard who would give Kwamain Mitchell a break. “I can’t say for sure, but we have scholarships available,” Majerus said. “We’re looking primarily for next year. I’m going out tonight to look at somebody. There are only five days left and I plan to be gone all five days. They’ve got me booked in Chicago next Wednesday morning to meet a kid at 6 a.m., then another at 2, at 5 and at 8. I like how we’re positioned for the following year.”

I’ve mentioned this before, but he said they’ve talked with Cory Remekun about redshirting. Remekun needs to gain some weight and muscle and would likely benefit from the year.

I’ve attached the official SLU release on Ellis below. You know it’s the school’s release because it says “Saint,” not “St.”

Saint Louis University head men’s basketball coach Rick Majerus today announced that 6-foot-8 forward Cody Ellis (Perth, Australia/Lake Ginninderra/Institute of Sport) has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the University and play basketball for the Billikens. Ellis will have four years of eligibility beginning with the 2009-10 academic year.

“Cody is certainly a welcome addition to the team, first and foremost because of his character,” Majerus said. “He is a committed student and someone who appreciates the opportunity that the Australian Institute of Sport has provided him. Cody gives us a dimension we currently do not have - an outside shooting big man who can knock down the 3-pointer, yet can post up with authority and rebound. Cody will be perfect in our NBA set pick and pop plays and will fit well into our motion offense. We expect him to become a go-to-guy, both on the block and outside for the three.”

“Similar to the Lisch family, the bloodline is certainly there,” Majerus said. “Cody’s father, Mike, was a stalwart and a star for the Australian National Team as well as the Perth Wildcats, the premier professional league in Australia. Cody is the son of a coach and plays like one - smart, committed and passionate.

“Cody, and anyone else who plays for the Emus, has been very well coached,” Majerus said. “Coach Marty Clarke does a superb job of preparing them for the rigors of international ball. I feel that Cody as well as Christian Salecich, who we signed last fall, may both one day play for the Australian National team, the Boomers.

“Cody’s passing skills, unselfishness and feel for the game belie his years, having been so well coached by Clarke, as well as by his father, Mike Ellis, who coached the Perth Wildcats in the Australian NBL.” Majerus said. “We are excited for Cody to come on board with us, and our players are certainly looking forward to playing alongside someone with his commitment and skill set.”

Ellis is ranked as the No. 1 power forward and the No. 3 player overall in the 2009 class in Australia, and recruiting service Scouts, Inc., rates him the No. 76 power forward nationally. He averaged 14 ppg and eight rpg while hitting 42 percent from 3-point range for the Australian Institute of Sport, the elite academy in Canberra, Australia. A.I.S. has produced more than 20 Division I players, including teammate Christian Salecich who signed last fall with the Billikens. The duo led A.I.S. to the 2008 Southeast Australian Basketball League finals. Ellis helped Australia earn a silver medal at the 2007 Oceania Tournament and helped his team win the bronze medal game at the 2008 Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Germany. He was selected to the 2009 Australia U-19 Nationals All-Tournament team, and he will be a member of the Junior National Australia team at the upcoming FIBA World U-19 Championships in New Zealand.

Ellis is the fifth member of the Billikens’ recruiting class this season. Last fall, SLU signed 6-5 guard Jeff Reid (Topeka, Kan./Hayden), 6-8 forward Cory Remekun (Mesquite, Texas/Mesquite), 6-4 guard Christian Salecich (Gold Coast, Australia/ Lake Ginninderra/Institute of Sport) and 6-7 forward Jon Smith (Grove City, Ohio/Grove City).