He's 20.

Rice Lake's Henry Ellenson is playing in the rotation for the Pistons:

“It’s huge, just going on the court and competing, getting better and learning from each opportunity and trying to make the most of it,” Ellenson said. “When it’s my chance to go, I’ll be ready and compete — that’s the biggest thing at this level. Your teammates are going to help you throughout the night, so it’s being ready and learning from each moment I get.”

His teammates have taken notice of how much work Ellenson has done. He’s not just getting minutes based on being a first-round pick or few alternatives being available on the bench. Van Gundy is struggling to trim the rotation to his desired nine or 10 players; Ellenson is jockeying for position with veteran Anthony Tolliver and Jon Leuer.

The versatility at the forward positions will let some of them switch to other positions, opening opportunities for Ellenson after he languished on the bench and in the development league for most of last season.

“Henry has put in the work each and every day for the past two years to be able to be prepared to play when his number is called,” center Andre Drummond said. “He’s a young professional and he’s playing great.”