Wally Ellenson

[Jimmy Chitwood]

Wally Ellenson is a high-flying wing who has committed to play for Minnesota this fall (class of 2012) and possibly run track.

at 6-foot-5 and well put together, Ellenson has the ideal size for a two guard. a multi-sport standout who has won two Wisconsin State Championship Titles in the high jump (and cleared 7-feet 1-inch for the top high school mark in the nation this year), Ellenson also has the explosive athleticism that coaches allegedly drool over. one wonders, then, why he wasn't more highly recruited ... it's a shame Wisconsin didn't want him, but hopefully Tubby Smith won't ruin his career.

if i'm not mistaken, Ellenson is the first White guard that Smith has recruited since he was named the head coach at Minnesota.

[video=youtube;NytGbkU3aQM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NytGbkU3aQM[/video]

 

[celticdb15]

[h=3]Minnesota guard wins gold in the high jump[/h]August, 29, 2013

AUG 29
2:15
PM ET​

By Myron Medcalf | ESPN.com

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Two-sport athletes are often forced to choose at some point in their collegiate careers.

In college basketball, football is usually the other sport that’s the object of players’ dilemmas.

Minnesota’s Wally Ellenson might face that predicament in the future, as the sophomore is a standout in track and field.

The NCAA All-American high jumper cleared the 7-1 mark to win the gold medal at the Pan American Junior Championships in Medellin, Colombia earlier this week.

From GopherSports.com:

In his first international track and field competition, Minnesota sophomore Wally Ellenson captured gold on Sunday in the high jump at the 2013 Pan American Junior Championships in Medellin, Colombia.

The Rice Lake, Wis., All-American cleared 2.16 meters (7-1 ft.) on his first attempt of the day and never looked back as torrential downpours rained down on Alfonso Galvis Duque Stadium.

"It's surreal," Ellenson said. "(Winning a gold medal) was the goal throughout the whole competition, and I'm just thankful I was able to do it."

Ellenson contributed one of 16 gold medals for the U.S. team, which led all competing nations with a total of 39 medals at the 17th Pan American Junior Championships.​

Ellenson, who averaged 2.0 PPG with the Gophers last season, wants to compete in the 2016 Olympics. And this achievement in Colombia certainly legitimizes the 6-4 guard’s goal.

In May, however, Ellenson told the Pioneer Press (St. Paul, Minn.), that his competitors were more technically sound than he was following the 2012-13 season. Plus, he’s more comfortable off the court.

"They are two completely different sports, but I'm more confident in this one," said Ellenson, a freshman from Rice Lake, Wis.​

The balance between basketball and track didn’t stop Ellenson from reaching the NCAA track and field championships (finished in a tie for eighth). But Richard Pitino’s young wing might focus his energies on one sport in the future, especially if the move is necessary to boost his chances of reaching the 2016 Olympics.

 

[Jack Lambert]

From what I've seen/heard throughout watching Minnesota earlier this year, it appears as though Richard Pitino ran Ellenson off the basketball program. I heard in more than a couple Gopher's games that Pitino and Ellenson had a falling out between them. In addition, Wally wanted to focus on his Track & Field exploits, but it's a shame he won't be on the basketball court. http://www.thedailygopher.com/2014/...pher-forward-wally-ellenson-leaves-basektball

With this, I've read that Ellenson may be looking to transfer schools at some point, but not sure if it would happen.

I might as well put this here too: Lithuanian Oto Osenieks also left the team as well for injury reasons this past season.

 

[celticdb15]

Not dark enough for pitinos liking. Its ok Wally transfer back to wisco so u can kick some gopher ass for a few more years.

 

[Jack Lambert]

Ellenson is transferring from Minnesota, so he can play basketball next year!

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Report_Wally_Ellenson_to_transfer_from_the_Gophers041414


His Top Four choices are: Iowa State, Texas Tech, Baylor, and Marquette. Not sure what he's thinking there if he wants playing time.... maybe Marquette will be a better destination for white guys now that Wojo is coaching there. They are rumored to be leading for Matt Carlino, that's where Luke Fischer went to, and they are leading for a white 2015 PG as well.

 

[Jack Lambert]

I figured I'd update Ellenson's transfer situation: He's going to Marquette!! I think it's a good decision for Wally.

 

[Freethinker]

I figured I'd update Ellenson's transfer situation: He's going to Marquette!! I think it's a good decision for Wally.

Wow, Marquette may have went from one of the darkest teams year in year out to one of the best to follow. Great hire with Wojo. I hope other Duke assistants can get head coaching jobs and spread the "Duke way". Especially since Coach K seems to have been inflected with a case of negrophilia.

 

[Jack Lambert]

Wow, Marquette may have went from one of the darkest teams year in year out to one of the best to follow. Great hire with Wojo. I hope other Duke assistants can get head coaching jobs and spread the "Duke way". Especially since Coach K seems to have been inflected with a case of negrophilia.

I completely agree; they knocked it out of the park getting Wojo. It should be fun to watch their transformation over the next few years; Wojo brought in Matt Carlino, and Luke Fischer transferred there earlier year as well. Fischer (when he becomes eligible Dec. 14) and Carlino will both start this year. With Ellenson, Wojo also brought in Gabe Levin from Loyola Marymount, and they'll be eligible come 2015. In addition, both of Marquette's 2015 commits are white: PG Nick Noskowiak and PF/C Matt Heldt. It gets even better: with Wally transferring there, many think that's where his younger brother, the extremely talented 2015 PF Henry Ellenson, will end up.

Last year, Marquette had 2 white players on it's roster, one of which was a walk-on, and Jake Thomas, who was a former walk-on. Come 2015, they should have 5 or more white scholarship players on the team!!

 

[celticdb15]

What a pleasant surprise! Haven't been able to cheer for them since Diener and Novak!

 

[Vanilla_Sky]

Will he continuing his high jump career as well?

 

[Freethinker]

I completely agree; they knocked it out of the park getting Wojo. It should be fun to watch their transformation over the next few years; Wojo brought in Matt Carlino, and Luke Fischer transferred there earlier year as well. Fischer (when he becomes eligible Dec. 14) and Carlino will both start this year. With Ellenson, Wojo also brought in Gabe Levin from Loyola Marymount, and they'll be eligible come 2015. In addition, both of Marquette's 2015 commits are white: PG Nick Noskowiak and PF/C Matt Heldt. It gets even better: with Wally transferring there, many think that's where his younger brother, the extremely talented 2015 PF Henry Ellenson, will end up.

Last year, Marquette had 2 white players on it's roster, one of which was a walk-on, and Jake Thomas, who was a former walk-on. Come 2015, they should have 5 or more white scholarship players on the team!!

You were right! Henry, the #4 prospect in the country according to ESPN, has committed to Marquette. He made a good call turning down Michigan St and Kentucky. At Marquette he'll be the corner stone to build around. Marquette will be fun this year but I'm really looking forward to 2015-16!

 

[Jack Lambert]

You were right! Henry, the #4 prospect in the country according to ESPN, has committed to Marquette. He made a good call turning down Michigan St and Kentucky. At Marquette he'll be the corner stone to build around. Marquette will be fun this year but I'm really looking forward to 2015-16!

I'm glad he chose Marquette!! They'll be one of our teams to cheer for in 2015! It's amazing how quickly a team can reverse course with the right coach. I hope Wojo rebuilds these guys into a Duke of the North.

Also, Michigan State wouldn't have been as bad as Kentucky; Izzo has 2 white players out of 3 in his 2015 class, and even though he hasn't had many whites recently, he's still a fair coach when they are recruited.

 

[celticdb15]

What a difference in whiteness since Wojo has taken over. I can finally cheer on the Golden Eagles again. Along with UW 2 white friendly programs in Wisconsin!