Wayne Ellington is a smooth shooter who was named
the 2009 Final Four's Most Outstanding Player.
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Wayne Ellington
SG, North Carolina
6’5”/190
After drafting three straight point guards in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves used their fourth first round pick on Ellington. A junior shooting guard from North Carolina, Ellington will likely complete the Wolves’ new backcourt alongside Jonny Flynn (or Ricky Rubio?).
Ellington is a great shooter and scorer who averaged 15.8 points per game last season. The former Tar Heel also grabbed 4.9 rebounds per game en route to UNC’s fifth national championship. Though he was overshadowed by teammates Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson for much of the season, Ellington was named the 2009 Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player.
Ellington averaged 23.2 ppg in UNC’s six tournament games, leading all Tar Heels in scoring. In the national semi-final against Villanova, he scored 20 points to go with 9 rebounds and four assists. Against Michigan State in the national title game, he scored 19 points, including 17 in just the first half.
During the regular season, Ellington had a season-high 34 points against Maryland and had games of 20+ points on four different occasions. He also scored in double figures in all but three regular season games. Ellington proved he has the ability and skill to score over 20 a game, but with such UNC boasting such a loaded roster, he rarely had to carry the team on his back. Ellington also shot the long ball well, posting a career best 41.7 three-point percentage in the 2008-09 season.
Though he is a sweet shooter, Ellington suffers from a lack of size for an NBA two guard as well as a lack of athleticism. He doesn’t commit himself to playing great defense, an effort that will have to be increased against larger and more athletic NBA guards. Some experts have criticized him as being weak and avoidant of contact, a concern that manifests in the low number of free throw attempts he took.
Despite his physical shortcomings, Ellington’s skill as a shooter gives him a chance to be effective immediately. He’s capable of scoring on jumpers, pull-up shots as well as working off screens. Perhaps one of the most important qualities is that he comes from a winning program. Arguably one of the nation’s top teams, North Carolina plays a professional-style offense and Ellington had a successful career in a tough ACC. Coming off of a national championship, Ellington could help provide a winning mentality for a team that hasn’t had one for years.
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