Wayne Ellington: I Would Love To Play In Philadelphia
June 19, 2009 – 10:15 am by Tas MelasPegged to go anywhere from 17 to the early second round in Thursday’s NBA Draft, North Carolina’s Wayne Ellington has a shot at being picked by his hometown Sixers. I personally would rather see a player suit up out of state, away from all the commotion and distractions cause by playing around friends and family. Ellington is a kid who will have a hard enough time adapting to the NBA – he’s not a sure fire star – the city of Brotherly love wouldn’t be very nurturing at this point of his career in my opinion.
Overshadowed by teammates Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson, Ellington will have some work to do if he wants to have a long NBA career. Ellington has to develop his ability to get to the hole and would likely thrive in an uptempo style or an offense with a dominant big man while he learns the NBA game. Ellington joined ESPN Radio in Philadelphia to discuss playing for his hometown team, why he’s ready for the NBA, and that people shouldn’t be overlooking Hansbrough.
On why he’s more ready this year to enter the NBA than previous years:
“I’m just a lot more mature. My body’s more mature, I’m more mature mentally and I think I’m definitely well prepared. I think I improved my overall game and I think a lot more prepared for the NBA game now.”
On if there would be too many distractions playing in his hometown of Philadelphia:
“I would love it. I don’t think it would be too many distractions that would really affect me. I think I have a great group of people around me, a lot of great family around me and I think they would understand. It wouldn’t be a situation where it’d be too much at all.”
On why he left Philadelphia to go to college:
“I wanted to go to Carolina. There’s a lot of great tradition at Carolina. I think Coach Roy Williams had a great plan for me and I just saw my future really bright at Carolina. I wanted a chance to contend for a national championship.”
On Tyler Hansbrough’s up and down draft stock, and what kind of player he’ll be:
“You know, I think it could get interesting. I think he’s definitely gonna have a long NBA career just because of his work ethic and his willingness to do whatever it takes. I think he is gonna shock a lot of people. A lot of people don’t really realize how athletic he is and how good he is as a player, so I think he will shock a lot of people.”
Listen to Wayne Ellington on ESPN Radio in Philadelphia
Tags: Basketball, NBA, NBA Draft, North Carolina Tar Heels, Tyler Hansbrough, Wayne Ellington
