Ellington played in all 38 games for the ACC Champion Tar Heels in 2006–07, averaging 11.7 points per game.
He was named to the 2007 ACC All-Tournament Team.
His season ended on a sour note though, as North Carolina lost to Georgetown in the East Regional final of the NCAA Tournament.
He had a chance to win the game in regulation, but missed a 3-pointer in the final seconds.
Ellington was a member of the U.S. national team that finished fifth at the 2007 Pan American Games.

As a sophomore, Ellington saw his points-per-game average increase as the Tar Heels increasingly went to him in key moments of games.
In the January 6, 2008 game at Clemson, Ellington scored a career high 36 points, including the game winning three-pointer with 0:00.4 seconds left in overtime to lead top-rated UNC over #19 Clemson 90–88.
But again, his season ended in a poor fashion, as he shot only 1 for 9 from three-point range, in a loss to Kansas in a national semifinal game in the NCAA Tournament.
He declared for the 2008 NBA Draft after that season, but did not hire an agent, and withdrew to play his junior year at North Carolina.

As a Junior, Ellington helped lead the Tar Heels to the National Championship, where they defeated the Michigan State Spartans 89–72.
He shot 7–10 from three-point range in the Final Four, and he was named to the All-Tournament Team and was named NCAA Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
During his college career, Ellington averaged 14.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.

On April 23, 2009, Ellington announced that he would forgo his senior season and enter the NBA draft.
Ellington played in all 38 games for the ACC Champion Tar Heels in 2006–07, averaging 11.7 points per game. He was named to the 2007 ACC All-Tournament Team. His season ended on a sour note though, as North Carolina lost to Georgetown in the East Regional final of the NCAA Tournament. He had a chance to win the game in regulation, but missed a 3-pointer in the final seconds. Ellington was a member of the U.S. national team that finished fifth at the 2007 Pan American Games.
As a sophomore, Ellington saw his points-per-game average increase as the Tar Heels increasingly went to him in key moments of games. In the January 6, 2008 game at Clemson, Ellington scored a career high 36 points, including the game winning three-pointer with 0:00.4 seconds left in overtime to lead top-rated UNC over #19 Clemson 90–88. But again, his season ended in a poor fashion, as he shot only 1 for 9 from three-point range, in a loss to Kansas in a national semifinal game in the NCAA Tournament. He declared for the 2008 NBA Draft after that season, but did not hire an agent, and withdrew to play his junior year at North Carolina.
As a Junior, Ellington helped lead the Tar Heels to the National Championship, where they defeated the Michigan State Spartans 89–72. He shot 7–10 from three-point range in the Final Four, and he was named to the All-Tournament Team and was named NCAA Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player. During his college career, Ellington averaged 14.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.
On April 23, 2009, Ellington announced that he would forgo his senior season and enter the NBA draft.
Wayne Ellington