Keeping It Heel
Fansided

UNC Basketball: Wayne Ellington’s three-point flurry fuels Pistons

By Blake Cockrum

Feb 28, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Wayne Ellington (8) takes a free throw during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Wayne Ellington (8) takes a free throw during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

It’s been 12 years since he “made it Wayne” for the UNC basketball program, but Pistons’ Ellington shows he’s still got it.

Wayne Ellington is one of the best long-range shooters in the history of the North Carolina basketball program, though it seems like a lifetime since the Tar Heels have enjoyed a player of his caliber roaming the perimeter.

The 12-year NBA veteran is enjoying one of the best all-around seasons of his career, one that’s seen him suit up for the Timberwolves, Cavaliers, Grizzlies, Mavericks, Lakers, Nets, Heat, Pistons and Knicks. And that’s because Ellington’s game is aging well, as the now 33-year-old shooting guard is boasting the highest overall shooting percentage of his career, and the third-highest mark from three-point range.

It’s worth noting, though, that he’s shooting far more three-pointers now than he did in either of his top-two seasons from beyond the arc. So, with that in mind, we may actually be seeing the very best of Ellington now, despite the fact that he’s approaching his mid-30s.

Related Story. How is Duke STILL on the NCAA Tournament bubble?. light

Ellington did it again on Wednesday night when he poured in a team-high 25 points in a 129-105 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He scorched the nets en route to an 8-for-11 mark from three-point range to go along with three rebounds, two steals and not a single turnover in just 26 minutes of play.

His offensive rating for the game was obviously off the charts, as the Raptors struggled to defend anything he did in quick catch-and-shoot situations. It looked similar to the Wayne Ellington that we saw in the month of January that shot better than 52 percent from long-range, and averaged 12.6 points per game. After coming back down to earth amid a cold-shooting February, Ellington is off to a hot start in March.

Despite it being his first 20-point game in more than a month, and just his third double-digit scoring effort over his past 13 appearances, Ellington came into Wednesday night’s contest averaging 10 points per game on 44.1 percent shooting and 41.4 percent from downtown.

Next. Kenny Williams shines in Spurs' win over Nets. dark

Check back with Keeping It Heel as we continue to follow Wayne Ellington, and UNC basketball alumni throughout the league.

Home/UNC Basketball