Ansah wants to thank BYU hoops coach for cutting him, paving path to be drafted No. 5 by Lions

Ezekiel Ansah, the Detroit Lions first round draft pick, stands with his jersey before addressing the media at the team's training facility in Allen Park, Mich., Friday, April 26, 2013. Ansah, born and raised in Ghana, was selected fifth overall in the NFL draft on Thursday. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) (The Associated Press)

Ezekiel Ansah, the Detroit Lions first round draft pick, addresses the media during an NFL football news conference the team's training facility in Allen Park, Mich., Friday, April 26, 2013. Ansah, born and raised in Ghana, was selected fifth overall in the NFL draft on Thursday. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) (The Associated Press)

ALLEN PARK, Mich. – Ziggy Ansah says he plans to thank Brigham Young University basketball coach Dave Rose for cutting him twice.

The Detroit Lions drafted Ansah No. 5 overall Thursday night. The next day, he talked about being grateful for his path in life from Ghana to Provo, Utah, to Detroit including two failed attempts to play basketball in college.

Detroit feels fortunate, too.

The Lions needed a defensive end to play right away and determined the 6-foot-5, 271-pound Ansah can do it despite having just three years of football experience. If he pans out as a pass-rushing and run-stopping force, Detroit will have gotten something good out of its 4-12 record in 2012. The poor season paved the way for the Lions to spend a week with Ansah at the Senior Bowl.