The 2016 NBA Draft is stating to take shape, at least on paper- LSU’s Ben Simmons #1 to the Philadelphia 76ers, Duke’s Brandon Ingram #2 to the L.A. Lakers, and International prospect Dragan Bender, possibly the next Kristaps Porzingis, #3 to the Boston Celtics.
How about Marquette Power Forward Henry Ellenson? Where does he fit?
ESPN College Hoops and International Draft expert Fran Fraschilla discussed the 2016 NBA Draft on a media conference call. Here is the transcript of the Henry Ellenson discussion below, via an ESPN release.
Q. New Orleans is going to be somewhere in that top nine, if they don’t make a big jump, they will be in that six to nine range. Where do you see maybe a drop in the draft, and who do you see could be in that six to ten range?
FRASCHILLA: You know, it’s my opinion that the drop takes place around 11 or 12, and I’ve also had teams tell me, a lot of teams tell me that that’s what they see the cutoff is. So you are looking in the six to nine range at some intriguing prospects.
Obviously one of the guards that I mentioned earlier, a Murray, a Dunn or a Hield, could fall into that range. Jakob Poeltl or Henry Ellenson seem to be in that range, two, young, big guys with a lot of potential. And then a guy that I think may be the best athlete in the entire draft is going to be in that range, and that’s Marquese Chriss from University of Washington, a freak-ish athlete, young, one of the youngest players in the draft, and improving skill level.
So those are some names that are going to be right there staring the pelicans in the face, and each of those guys in their own way has a chance to be a very solid NBA player at various times down the road.
In that third spot, you’re talking about guys who could make an instant impact because of their experience, and that would be Hield, Dunn, Murray, in that order, in my opinion. Poeltl and Ellenson are in that mix, as well.
And below you’ll find the link to the audio of our EXCLUSIVE Q&A with Henry Ellenson. Have a listen:
https://soundcloud.com/p-m-banks/marquette-5-star-prospect-henry-ellenson
Here’s the link to our latest NBA mock draft. We do have Henry Ellenson slotted to the Nuggets and here’s why:
7. Denver (from NY)-Henry Ellenson, PF, Marquette, 6-11, Fr.
The Nuggets don’t have a glaring hole on their roster but need to find an upgrade in talent so likely go with the best available. Ellenson’s multi-dimensional offensive attack would add some diversity to the Nuggets frontcourt.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
He also consistently appears on numerous talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram