Henry's Going to Dee-troit!

Stan Van Gundy's Pistons
Pick Up Ellenson
in Round 18

Before the NBA Draft, Van Gundy, the Detroit Pistons' president of basketball operations and head coach, told reporters there a group of 10 to 11 players he really didn’t examine closely because the team felt there was no way any of them would fall to No. 18.

But the Pistons are ecstatic their 10th-ranked player – Marquette power forward Henry Ellenson – was available.

And after a night of unexpected results, Pistons snagged a guy who fits perfectly when you consider the team needs.

It was just unexpected.

“I watched a little on him, I watched two games, but quickly just so I knew who he was. I didn’t even take notes, to be quite honest,” Van Gundy said at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Thursday night moments after the Pistons made their selection.

“I liked what I saw and have great faith in our staff. When they have a guy that high, there’s no doubt at 18 that you’re making the right move. And he’s such a great fit for what we need, too.”

The move fits because Ellenson provides size, measuring 6-foot-11 1/2 in shoes and 242 pounds at the NBA combine in May, enabling the one-and-done collegiate to play power forward and center.

He has a polished offensive game, as he got his start in basketball as a point guard.

He averaged 17 points and 9.7 rebounds in one season at Marquette.

Right now, he is more of a midrange shooting threat, but can also drive to the rim. He shot 30-for-104 from three (28.8%). He is a solid rebounder and can take defensive rebounds and go coast-to-coast.

The knock?

He is slow-footed and considered a defensive liability.

So much for the predictor markets:

Draft night proved once again mock drafts should be perused only for entertainment value.

With “lower” ranked prospects flying off the board, the Pistons were able to sit back and wait.

“We were really surprised,” Van Gundy said. “(Ellenson) was a guy we had as basically no chance to get at 18 so we didn’t bring him in here for a workout. We loved him … all the scouts loved him, but he was guy we just didn’t think we had any shot at. Everybody thought he was going to go higher so you can’t get those guys in that go higher.”
...
Most mock drafts had Ellenson going around the top 10, but a player the Pistons targeted early in the process was available.

“I didn’t expect to be on the board at 18, but God has a plan and I feel this is a right place for me to go to,” Ellenson said. “It’s in the Midwest. It’s a great team that made the playoffs last year. I feel like I can contribute a lot right away.

“I’m just excited to be playing for the Pistons.”

After saying during the entire draft process the Pistons would more than likely take a prospect not quite ready for prime time, Van Gundy said Ellenson’s game does offer the potential of a possible rotation piece in Year 1.

With the top seven players returning and with a goal of addressing roster holes in free agency, the Pistons went into the draft with a best-player-available mantra.

This is the first time since 2009 the Pistons’ first-round pick isn’t in the lottery.

That’s by virtue of the Pistons finishing 44-38 and reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

ADDED:
forbes.com:

18. Detroit Pistons: Henry Ellenson (PF, Marquette)
Ellenson is definitely one of the most interesting players in this year’s draft class, especially after falling this far. He excelled as a freshman at Marquette, showing prowess in stretching the floor while also developing his game in the paint in both the low post and on the pick-and-roll. Ellenson should be a great fit alongside Andre Drummond and provides the Pistons a strong presence at power forward, making him an absolute steal at No. 18 even if he does have some bust potential. Grade: A-