Marquette landed a huge verbal commitment on Thursday morning, as Henry Ellenson, the 4th ranked player in the ESPN 100, opted to stay close to home and play for the Golden Eagles instead of entertaining Michigan State or Kentucky. Here is a look at what Ellenson will bring to the Big East:
- EnlargeHenry Ellenson
AP Photo/Andy Manis
Thanks to his versatility, Henry Ellenson will be a problem for Marquette's opponents.
Why he committed: Marquette had two distinct advantages here. First and foremost, there's the presence of Wally Ellenson, Henry's older brother, who transferred from Minnesota earlier this summer. They also held an early commitment from Nick Noskowiak, Ellenson's close friend and AAU teammate with Playground Elite. First-year head coach Steve Wojciechowski continued to pull out all the stops, not only making it clear that Ellenson was his top priority, but also assuring him that he would have the freedom he desired to show his full offensive versatility as opposed to being locked solely in the post. Ultimately, Ellenson's relationship with Wojciechowski and confidence in his plan for him was the deciding factor.
What he brings: Ellenson is a highly versatile four-man and major mismatch problem. He can score both in and around the paint as well as stretch opposing defenses to the perimeter. He lets his matchup dictate his point of attack. He will make open shots to the arc but can also face-up less mobile defenders and straight line drive. On the inside, he has a strong natural frame to hold off contact while simultaneously providing a valuable rebounding presence up front. Defensively, he is a solid position defender who may ultimately be able to check both frontcourt positions.
How he fits: Wojciechowski sold Ellenson on the fact that he would be given freedom to showcase his total game on the offensive end of the floor. The plan will include a variety of pro-style sets as well as the ball-screen style offense that we've seen from Duke in recent years, where Wojciechowski was most recently the associate head coach. Ellenson's versatility will make him especially difficult to contain in ball screen coverage, as he'll be equally capable of both pick-and-rolling as well as picking-and-popping.
Who he reminds us of: At his best, Ellenson has occasionally been compared to a poor man's Dirk Nowitzki, and while there are some similarities in terms of the size, style and versatility, those comparisons are lofty for any high school senior. He can also be a cross between guys like Nick Collison and Ryan Anderson, two veteran NBA players who operated from the post and perimeter, respectively, with a high collective basketball IQ.
How the class is shaping up: Ellenson is the first five star prospect to commit to Wojciechowski, but he's also the key player Marquette was looking for after building a very strong class to date. Noskowiak is a true point guard who is both highly skilled and very cerebral, while fellow ESPN 100 prospect Haanif Cheatham is a versatile 6-foot-5 guard who is potentially capable of playing all three perimeter positions. Finally, Matt Heldt is a true center who will ultimately team with Ellenson along Marquette's front line. Collectively, this group not only provides the skill and versatility that Wojciechowski will need to transform Marquette's identity on the offensive end of the floor, but it also solidifies his commitment to keeping the best players from the state of Wisconsin close to home.