Stan Van Gundy comments on drafting Henry Ellenson

The Detroit Pistons stole Henry Ellenson on draft night, a player many projected to be a top-10 pick. See what Stan Van Gundy had to say about the selection.

The Detroit Pistons came away with one heck of a draft when it was all said and done, drafting Henry Ellenson in the first round and Michael Gbinije in the second round.

What did Stan Van Gundy have to say about his first round pick?

Stan Van Gundy via detroitpistons.com:

"“He was 10th on our board,” Stan Van Gundy said. “That’s exactly where he fit in with us. … We’re really excited. It just unfolded a lot differently than we thought it would.”“If you look at his stroke, it’s a really nice looking stroke,” Van Gundy said. “We think with time – he’ll shoot the mid-range jumper right now – and I do think eventually he’ll expand out and be able to make the NBA three. I think he will be able to stretch the floor. We’re happy about that, too.”“It’s possible (Ellenson could crack the rotation),” he said. “He’s a guy that has a chance to get on the floor. Is he a guy in your top eight? I don’t know. It’s too early. We’ll start the process with him and see where it goes. He’s good enough to maybe get on the floor, but we’re in a position that he doesn’t have to. We don’t have to rush it. We just want him to work every day to get better. No pressure on him early.”“Jeff Bower, Brian Wright, all the scouts loved him. He was a guy that we just didn’t think we had any shot at,” Van Gundy said. “Everybody thought he was going to go higher. We need to get a little bigger up front, particularly at the four. So to get him … and we think he can play the four and the five. Really knows how to play basketball, great instincts, can handle the ball for a big, really faces up, shoots it, puts it on the floor, can pass the ball, tough guy, rebounds it. So he gives us a lot of things to work with.”"

Van Gundy is clearly thrilled to have Ellenson on the team. How does Ellenson feel about the fit?

"“I think I can fit in and be a stretch four for them,” Ellenson told reporters in New York. “I think Andre Drummond down low is really effective and I play with centers. So I think I can be a guy who adds a whole ’nuther side of versatility there, being able to make plays in the four spot.”"

Pistons fans should be thrilled. When drafting as late as the Pistons were in each round, it’s rare to come away with two players that can come in and contribute. Even more exciting, Ellenson–albeit not a great athletic–has all-star potential due to his size and skill-set.