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2016 NBA Mock Draft: Top Prospects Entering March Madness

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 5, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) reacts from the court during the game against the LSU Tigers in the second half at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) reacts from the court during the game against the LSU Tigers in the second half at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 27, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Marquette Golden Eagles forward Henry Ellenson (13) looks to pass the ball during the second half against the Villanova Wildcats at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Villanova won 89-79. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Marquette Golden Eagles forward Henry Ellenson (13) looks to pass the ball during the second half against the Villanova Wildcats at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Villanova won 89-79. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Henry Ellenson, Marquette Golden Eagles

Position: Forward/Center

Age: 19 (1/13/1997)

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’10.5″, 231 pounds, 7’2″

Slash Line: .446/.288/.749

Season Averages: 33.5 MPG, 17.0 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 2.2 ORPG, 1.8 APG, 1.5 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 0.9 3PM

Analysis

Marquette Golden Eagles star Henry Ellenson is a Top 10 prospect because of the way his skill met fits this era of NBA basketball. That’s no slight on what he’s been able to do under head coach Steve Wojciechowski, but his inconsistency has been forgiven for one simple reason: Ellenson is a modern big man.

Whether he’s pounding the post, crashing the offensive glass, or spacing the floor from beyond the arc, Ellenson has the perfect combination of abilities for the new NBA.

Ellenson is entering the Association at the perfect time. His combination of size, power, length, and skill perfectly meet the big man standards of this small-ball era, with the versatility to play from the low block, face up from the elbow, and convert with 3-point range on his jump shot.

All of those skills are still in the process of being polished, but there’s no way around the fact that they’re already in place.

Defensively, Ellenson needs to do a better job of not fouling, but he’s certainly capable of redirecting shots. He doesn’t project to be an All-Defensive Team member, but he can block shots and has the combination of size and mobility to provide a positive impact as a team defender.

Ellenson has the upside to be an offensive juggernaut, but even if he falls short of that potential, he can still be a game-changing contributor.

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