Freshman, F/C, Marquette
6’11.5″, 242 lbs
11.2 percent body fat, 9’0″ standing reach, 7’2.25″ wingspan
College Stats In 2015-16
33 games, 33.5 MPG, 17 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.5 BPG, 44.6 FG%, 28.8 3P%, 74.9 FT%
Where He’ll Go:
Ellenson is expected to be a lottery pick.
Best Game In 2015-16
Ellenson’s best game came in a 75-69 home win over Butler on Jan. 30. Ellenson finished with a game-high 32 points to go with 10 rebounds, six blocks and one steal. He shot 8-for-14 from the field and showed off his range, shooting 2-for-2 from the 3-point and made it to the free-throw line a whopping 16 times, making 14.
Strengths
He has the size to play both power forward and center. Early on, he’ll probably play power forward because he’s not the most physically intimidating guy. He hit 30 3-pointers in 33 games, so there’s reason to think he can develop into a stretch forward. He’s a good face-up player and average at posting up. For a big man, he’s a solid ball handler, especially in dribble hand-off situations. He can also run the court well for a big man, which is pretty rare.
Weaknesses
Defensively, he’s slow and on a team with a tough coach, that could have him on the bench until he learns how to play good team defense. He’s not a great passer and he could tone up a bit physically.
Ratke’s Take
He’s a local boy. The Rice, Lake, Wis. native (about a two-hour drive from Minneapolis) is projected to be a lottery pick. He’d certainly fit a position need for the Wolves and he did meet with the Wolves at the Combine, he told Timberwolves.com in Chicago.
“It was good,” Ellenson said of the meeting. “… I could see a good fit with that young group. Karl-Anthony Towns is obviously a talent and they’ve got young guards, obviously Andrew Wiggins. It depends how it all goes.”
What is he in the NBA? The best-case scenario is a player like Kevin Love. Both guys can shoot. Love is a better rebounder and more of a prolific scorer than Ellenson, but Ellenson can also dribble. His biggest obstacle will be his defense.
If he’s willing to work on that end of the ball and at least play solid team defense, he should be OK. He’s never going to be a rim protector or a lock-down defender, but if he’s average on that side of the ball, his offensive tool belt will keep him on the floor.
Twitter Talk
@Kyle_Ratke rebounded well but shot about 30% on 3s, 75% on FTs. If he doesn’t shoot very well in workouts, he’ll probably drop well past 5
@Kyle_Ratke went to MU so a fan but not for #Twolves. Needs to develop. Too soft down low. Will get bullied. Kind of whiny. Has potential.
