Former Gophers basketball player and track standout Wally Ellenson is transferring to Marquette.
Ellenson signed a National Letter of Intent with Marquette on Wednesday.
He is a 6-foot-6 forward. Ellenson will redshirt this season due to NCAA transfer rules, and will have two seasons of eligibility remaining after the transfer.
The Rice Lake, Wisconsin, native averaged 1.8 points and 1.3 rebounds in 6.9 minutes a game for the Gophers last year.
Ellenson will continue to participate in both basketball and track at Marquette.
https://twitter.com/steve_wojo/status/484399668680343552
“Wally is a young man of outstanding character. He is an elite-level athlete and adds talent, athleticism and competitive spirit to our basketball team,” Wojciechowski said. “We are extremely excited about the impact he will have at Marquette.”
According to the Star Tribune, Ellenson was originally recruited by former Gophers basketball coach Tubby Smith. He chose to leave the basketball team in February, but excelled in track with the Gophers.
Ellenson is a two-time All-American in the high jump, he finished second in the event at the NCAA Division I Championships, last month.
Ellenson’s arrival at Marquette could have a dual purpose. The Milwaukee-Journal Sentinel reports the Golden Eagles are also heavily recruiting his brother.
Henry Ellenson is a 6-foot-9 power forward heading into his senior season at Rice Lake. He has been rated a 5-star recruit, and Duke, North Carolina and UCLA are also courting him.
