Henry Ellenson

Henry Ellenson's Biography

Henry John Ellenson, a native of Rice Lake, Wisconsin, was born on January 13, 1997, and quickly developed a deep passion for basketball. From a young age, his prowess on the court was evident and he soon drew the attention of local sport scouts.

Rice Lake High School was where Ellenson first made his mark. He not only played basketball there but also showcased his talent in track and field, excelling in high jump and discus events. His dominance in basketball was obvious right from his freshman year in the 2011-2012 season, averaging 12.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game. In his sophomore season, his statistics increased dramatically to an average of 21.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game.

Ellenson’s talent and hard work did not go unnoticed. In August 2014, he was selected to be a member of the United States’ National Team at the 2014 FIBA Under-17 World Championship in Dubai. He delivered an impressive performance against China in the quarterfinal game, achieving a personal best of 21 points. This experience increased his exposure and reputation in the world of basketball.

After high school, Ellenson decided to take his game to the next level, signing up to play college basketball for Marquette. His performance there was nothing short of remarkable. Even though he only played for one season, Ellenson averaged a near-double-double with 17 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. Additionally, he chalked up an average of 1.8 assists and 1.5 blocks in 33.5 minutes of play over 33 games.

Such a stellar performance did not go unrewarded. Ellenson was named to the All-Big East First Team, Big East All-Freshmen Team, and even bagged the Big East Freshman of the Year honors. On April 5, 2016, confident in his skills and ready for the next challenge, Ellenson announced his intention to forego his final three years of college eligibility and declare for the NBA draft.

His decision bore fruit when on June 23, 2016, the Detroit Pistons selected him as the 18th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft. He officially signed with the Pistons on July 19, 2016, marking the start of his professional career. Though his rookie season had its share of trials, it also saw him prove his mettle when he was assigned to the Grand Rapids Drive, the Pistons’ D-League affiliate. Nevertheless, his journey with the Pistons ended on February 9, 2019, when they released him.

Ellenson’s basketball journey was far from over. He signed a 10-day contract with New York Knicks on February 20, 2019, and after a string of successful games, the Knicks offered him a regular contract on March 2 the same year. He then spent time at the 2019 NBA Summer League before moving on to sign a two-way contract with the Brooklyn Nets on July 17, 2019. His stint with the Nets was, however, short-lived as they waived him on January 3, 2020.

Even though the journey was daunting and filled with multiple transitions, Ellenson never lost sight of his love for the game. He was then picked up in a sign-and-trade deal by the Raptors 905 on January 21, 2020. Here, he gained further experience and exposure, which eventually led to his signing a deal with the Toronto Raptors on November 26, 2020. Unfortunately, he was waived by the Raptors on December 19, the same year.

Despite these setbacks, he found a place back in the Raptors 905 fold on January 27, 2021. The Toronto Raptors again took notice of his potential and offered him another 10-day contract on March 10, 2021. The world of basketball took him next to Europe, where he played with Monbus Obradoiro and Joventut Badalona of Liga ACB in the successive years.

Ellenson’s career then took him to the East, where he signed with the Ibaraki Robots of the B.League in 2023. Unfortunately, his tenure was plagued with injuries and he was unable to play any games for the team. His contract was eventually terminated on January 9, 2024.

Resilience has defined Ellenson’s professional basketball career. After his stint in Japan, he returned to the United States and signed with the Milwaukee Bucks on October 15, 2024, only to be waived two days later. However, he didn’t let that deter him. He promptly signed with the Wisconsin Herd, finding a home with the NBA G League team.

Ellenson comes from a family deeply ingrained in basketball culture. His father, John Ellenson, played basketball for two seasons at Marquette and Wisconsin, and his brother, Wally, also played basketball and participated in the track and field teams. Who knows what future holds for Henry Ellenson, but one thing is sure: basketball is in his blood.