Henry Ellenson
Marquette freshmen Henry Ellenson and Haanif Cheatham have been named to the Big East Conference’s postseason squads on Sunday.
Ellenson was named All-Big East First Team and also claimed a spot on the Big East All-Freshman Team (unanimous selection). Cheatham also earned a nomination to the Big East All-Freshman Team after a stellar debut campaign with the Golden Eagles.
Ellenson is the first freshman on the first team since Carmelo Anthony of Syracuse in 2002-03. The eight-time Big East rookie of the week selection is one of five finalists for the Wayman Tisdale Award, presented to the nation’s top first-year player by the United States Basketball Writers Association. The Rice Lake, Wisconsin native concluded the regular season ranked third in the league in scoring (16.8 ppg.) and first in rebounding (9.8 rpg.). He is also currently fifth in blocked shots (1.5 bpg.), 12th in offensive rebounds (2.2 orpg.) and first in defensive rebounds (7.6 drpg.).
He is currently in possession of 17 double-doubles and ranks first in Marquette history in six freshman-year categories and is among the top-10 in a total of 11 overall statistical rankings for program newcomers.
Cheatham has started each of the team’s 31 games and in just under 30 minutes per night is contributing 11.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.
The Golden Eagles (19-12, 8-10 Big East) have earned the number-seven seed in the upcoming Big East Tournament and will face number-10 seeded St. John’s on Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m. CT in Madison Square Garden. The winner of that matchup advances to face number-two seed Xavier at 6 p.m. CT on Thursday, March 10.