Wisconsin ties run deep with Milwaukee Bucks' latest depth-bolstering signing

Even with just one preseason game left, the Milwaukee Bucks continue to make tweaks to their roster.

Per The Athletic's Eric Nehm, the Bucks are adding Henry Ellenson via an Exhibit 10 contract to beef up their frontcourt. The odds of Ellenson playing in Milwaukee's preseason finale are slim to none, as the big man will likely end up with their G-League team in Oshkosh to start the season. Ellenson has a notable background in Wisconsin, so this may be a full-circle moment for him.

Henry Ellenson joins the Bucks via an Exhibit 10

Ellenson attended high school in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. For collegiate career, he went to Marquette for one season before making the leap to the NBA. The now 27-year-old big man will continue his playing career in the state he grew up in. Ellenson is the second Wisconsin native the Bucks have brought in this offseason, as Liam Robbins, another Exhibit 10 player, is from Waukesha.

Let's look at what Ellenson brings to the table. In brief stints with the Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors, the 6-foot-10 big man clocked stats of 4.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.6 assists in 83 career matchups. He most recently appeared in the NBA during the 2020-21 season, having played two games with the Raptors.

Ellenson's G-League stats were far more intriguing, as he averaged 20 points and 9.2 rebounds per game across 74 matchups, including 67 starts. He's spent the past couple years playing overseas, but he now returns to the States to play in his home state, and the Milwaukee Bucks clearly think he has something to give, even if it's in the G-League, where he will almost certainly end up.

Ellenson joins what is shaping up to be a fascinating Wisconsin Herd roster, which will likely feature players like the aforementioned Liam Robbins, two-way guard Ryan Rollins and Terence Davis, an experienced NBA player looking to work his way back into the NBA after suffering an Achilles injury last season. The team's two rookie draft picks could also join them for the occasional game.

Milwaukee's frontcourt was thin on depth entering this offseason, and the front office has done a nice job of adding countless big bodies. Even if they are stored in the G-League, the Milwaukee Bucks can call them up if depth is needed. It's solid work by general manager Jon Horst to stock up on insurance policies in the event the team needs another big body in town.

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