Henry Ellenson, the 6-foot-10 Rice Lake (WI) power forward, has committed to Marquette following his recent visit to the Big East school, according to ESPN’s Reggie Rankin.
Ranked the No. 4 power forward in the Class of 2015 by the 247Sports Composite ranking, Ellenson is the highest-ranked prep player to commit to Marquette since Doc Rivers, according to Mark Miller.
“I felt Marquette was a place where I could make an immediate impact,” he told Rankin. “I feel that I will have an opportunity to play multiple positions and show my versatility. Also, I was the most comfortable with the coaching staff and a chance to play with my brother was something that was always big to me.”
Wally Ellenson, a junior guard and Henry’s older brother, is on the Marquette roster after transferring from Minnesota.
Henry joins a blockbuster recruiting class for new coach Steve Wojciechowski that includes three four-star recruits in 6-5 shooting guard Haanif Cheatham, 6-10 center Matt Heldt and 6-2 point guard Nick Noskowiak.
Ellenson has already visited Michigan State and was to have visited Kentucky Oct. 17 for Big Blue Madness.
Ellenson averaged 8.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in 12 minutes, or 29 points and 17 rebounds per 40 minutes, at the U17 World Championships in Dubai in August, according to Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com.
He is projected as the No. 9 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by DraftExpress.
“Henry is a very good player who can play multiple positions,” USA U17 coach Don Showalter told SNY.tv. “He has really good handles with the ball so that helps his perimeter game and obviously he’s a great shooter from the 3-point line on in. He has improved tremendously in the last year since he got in great condition by losing some weight which has helped him quickness-wise and also his ability to defend the perimeter has gotten much better.”
