Ellingson was recruited because he was an excellent 3 point shooter in HS and he needed that skill above anything else at that time. Was he our #1 target? I don't know, but probably not, but he was still an excellent HS shooter. Fleming was recruited to be competition to and with Ellingson (and others) because he, too, was an excellent HS 3 point shooter. Neither Ellingson or Fleming distinguished themselves, this season, as reliable 3 point shooters. Ellingson had a year on Fleming to learn the system and he did and that is why he got the first chance to prove it on the floor. In my opinion, he did well in all aspects of the game, other than his 3 point shooting. Regarding the hot potato comparison, to me, he was moving the ball because his job was to be a 3 point shooter and if he wasn't open, he passed it, quickly. I actually watched to see if teams would leave him unguarded as an unproven player; but most did not. He was being guarded and the 3 point line and so he did pass it a lot. But he didn't take any bad shots. So, again, I think that shows his understanding of his role.
If Ellingson doesn't prove himself as a 3 point shooter, next season, then I think Fran has learned from JO and won't still with him in the rotation for 2 more seasons.