Windsor Express add guard Wally Ellenson

Photo Credit: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

I was blessed to get a couple opportunities out there. It's always great to have a choice and I know I picked the right program.

The Windsor Express have made another higher profile signing, adding Wally Ellenson to its roster.

The six-foot-six, 200-pound guard is joining the team after playing college basketball at the University of Minnesota from 2012-14 and Marquette University for the 2015-16 season. He had averaged 1.9 points per game and 2.2 rebounds per game last year with the Marquette Golden Eagles before being released from his scholarship last April.

Ellenson had also been selected 54th overall by the Los Angeles D-Fenders in the 2016 NBA D-League Draft. He was waived by the Los Angeles Lakers affiliate Nov. 7.

He is the 16th player the Express have signed so far this offseason.

"He's a kid we know comes from a pedigree," said Express head coach Bill Jones. "It's an opportunity for us to get a look at a guy that we think is talented, that's athletic ... We're looking forward to see what he's able to do on the basketball court and see if he can help us reach our goal."

The Rice Lake, Wisc., native is known for his athleticism, having been a NCAA First Team All-American high jumper at both Minnesota and Marquette. He owns the all-time high jump record at Marquette and had finished second in the 2014 NCAA national outdoor high jump championships with the Golden Gophers.

Ellenson told the National Basketball League of Canada's social media department that after he was cut by the D-Fenders, his agent started inquiring about options in the NBLC. He said he received a few offers from the league's franchises before choosing Windsor.

"Windsor seemed like a great opportunity," said Ellenson. "I'm really excited to go, get out and play. They're a winning program, so I really wanted to be a part of that."

Ellenson also finds it "uncanny" that he is playing across the river from his brother Henry Ellenson, who is a rookie with the Detroit Pistons. He said that partially played into his decision to join the Express.

Jones said that family connection was one of the reasons why the team was drawn to him.

"His younger brother was a first round NBA draft choice, so knowing that he's a bigger brother, he had something to do with that," said Jones. "In my family tree, my brother was very influential in helping me in my professional career, so I know him being a bigger brother has done something for his younger brother."

Jones explained he can see the motivation Ellenson has to play professional basketball. He also can see the talent the 22-year-old has.

"I see him as an athletic guy that can run and jump," said Jones. "We definitely do see him being able to pick up the floor to be aggressive ... and to be able to see him get out and play some defense for us."

Ellenson, who has been training for this year in Detroit, said he cannot wait for the regular season to start.

"I'm looking forward to getting down and getting started and playing," said Ellenson. "I just got out of college, so it's my first step to being a pro ... I was blessed to get a couple opportunities out there. It's always great to have a choice and I know I picked the right program."

Ellenson will be one of 20 players expected to be at the team's training camp when it starts on Dec. 12.