Projected top-10 NBA Draft pick Henry Ellenson has made it official: He is turning pro and won't be returning to Marquette next season.
The Golden Eagles' all-time freshman scoring and rebounding leader announced his intention to hire an agent and declare for the upcoming draft via an Instagram post published Tuesday afternoon.
"I, officially announce that I will be entering the NBA Draft, and hiring an Agent," Ellenson wrote. "This has been my dream ever since I fell in love with the game growing up in Rice Lake."
A native of Rice Lake, Wisconsin, Ellenson was one of the nation's top recruits a year ago.
"I want to thank Coach Wojo and the rest of the coaching staff at Marquette for the help they have given me to grow as a player and as a person," he wrote.
The Big East Freshman of the Year and a member of the All-Big East First Team, Ellenson led the Golden Eagles in scoring (17.0 points per game), rebounding (9.7 per game) and blocked shots (1.5 per game).
“Henry was one of not only the top freshman in the country this season, he was one of the best players regardless of class,” Marquette head coach Steve Wojciechowski said in a statement. “As great as he was all season long for our program, his best basketball is still ahead of him and we wish him nothing but the best as he begins the next phase of his career.
“He will always be a member of the Marquette basketball family and we look forward to cheering him on in the NBA."
Previous Marquette players to leave early for the pros include Vander Blue and Dwyane Wade.
