In addition to earning a 10-day contract with the Toronto Raptors, Henry Ellenson was once again recognized for his standout season with the Raptors 905 on Monday afternoon.
Ellenson finished third in G League MVP voting this season behind Kevin Porter Jr. and Paul Reed, who won the award.
The award was voted upon by coaches and general managers of teams who participated in the bubble season at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando.
In addition to his ranking in the MVP award, Ellenson was named to the All-NBA G League Second Team.
Ellenson shot an astonishing 49 percent from the field and averaged 21 points and 8 rebounds for the 905 this season. He finished fifth in league scoring and grabbed one of the four player of the week awards. His exceptional shooting, including 43 percent from beyond the arc, was a major factor in the team’s 12-3 regular season record. Ellenson also elevated his game in the playoffs with a season-high 35 points in a first round playoff win against the G League Ignite.
The 2016 first rounder not only shot lights out from the field, but also demonstrated his ability to score in multiple ways. Ellenson is known for his shooting, but looked very comfortable throughout the season driving to the rim and shooting midrange shots. His defence, often the biggest knock against his game, also grew as the season progressed.
His clutch shooting in crunch time and sustained play during the G League season earned the big man a 10-day contract with the Toronto Raptors March 10th. Ellenson came off the bench in his first game against the Charlotte Hornets for 9 points and 9 rebounds. In his second and final appearance, he scored 6 points in 20 minutes against the Chicago Bulls. Even though his 10- day contract has now expired and he did not play in the Raptors’ last two games, there was certainly a lot to like about his play over the past few weeks.
After missing his first three shots against Charlotte and looking very nervous, Ellenson settled down to shoot 4-6 the rest of the game. Toronto’s head coach, Nick Nurse, appreciated his ability to battle through the adversity and thought his overall performance was very strong.
The Raptors have not yet re-signed Ellenson, but they may do so after the NBA trade deadline. The Raptors may need the open roster spots if they are active before Thursday’s deadline.
No matter where Ellenson ends up next, he will be a worthy addition to any team. His great performance in the G League this season and sharp shooting abilities should garner interest from other NBA teams if Toronto does not re-sign him.
Written by Thomas Debost
