College Basketball: Top 10 2015 NBA draft prospects
By Bryce Olin
8. D’Angelo Russell, Ohio State Buckeyes
NBA Doppelganger: Eric Gordon
In terms of an understanding of the game, Ohio State’s D’Angelo Russell is very raw, but he’s incredibly talented for a freshman.
| Season | G | MP | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P% | TRB | AST | STL | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 16 | 31.6 | 6.4 | 13.6 | .470 | .458 | 4.4 | 5.2 | 1.8 | 18.3 |
| Career | 16 | 31.6 | 6.4 | 13.6 | .470 | .458 | 4.4 | 5.2 | 1.8 | 18.3 |
Provided by Sports-Reference.com/CBB: View Original Table
Generated 1/8/2015.
Russell can flat-out shoot it and score. In 16 games with the Buckeyes, Russell is averaging 18.3 points per game on 47 percent shooting and 46 percent 3-point shooting. The scary thing is Russell has room to improve.
Against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in his third Big Ten game, Russell scored 25 points in the first half. IN ONE HALF!
Russell followed up that spectacular performance with a stinker of a second half and only scored two points the rest of the game, which also went to overtime.
That’s the room for improvement that I’m talking about. Russell has the talent, but he has to learn how to be more consistent. And, I think he can be over time.
In the NBA, Russell is going to be a scorer with the potential to be a star. He’s a very underrated passer, and with his pure stroke, Russell will be an offensive menace. Hopefully, he’ll end up on the right team with the players around him to be successful, like he has with Thad Matta’s team at Ohio State.
Keep a close eye on Russell’s draft stock; he’s my darkhorse to steal the top pick in the draft out of nowhere.
Next: Stanley Johnson