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Report: Ohio State’s D’Angelo Russell will declare for the NBA draft

By Luke Dahlgren

Ohio State Buckeyes guard D'Angelo Russell (0) brings the ball up court during the 1st half of a game at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Ohio State Buckeyes guard D'Angelo Russell (0) brings the ball up court during the 1st half of a game at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Ohio State freshman point guard will soon declare for the NBA draft, where he is expected to be a high lottery pick.

With the NCAA tournament concluding one week ago, the viewing public got to catch glimpses at the top prospects entering into the NBA, namely Duke’s Jahlil Okafor and Kentucky’s Karl-Anthony Towns. One high prospect overlooked in the tournament was Ohio State freshman point guard D’Angelo Russell. His Buckeyes lost in the round of 32 to the second seeded Arizona Wildcats, while Duke and Kentucky each reached the Final Four.

He will no longer be overlooked, as when the NBA Draft rolls around on June 25th, fans will soon get to know Russell as a basketball prospect.

Depending on how Russell works out and interviews with teams, or depending on whether or not Towns sabotages his own draft stock by declaring himself a descendant of Ben-Hur, Russell could end up becoming the top pick in the draft.

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Standing at 6’5″, Russell’s length and frame are the most immediate aspects of his status as a draft prospect. Combined with his shooting range and consistency, Russell has the ability to pair with any type of backcourt partner. He has the length to defend the point against anyone in the NBA, and he has the outside shooting and penetration ability to keep defenses off balance. Paired with his smart, unselfish passing, Russell should become a high-end starter at the point guard position.

While Russell has a refined offensive game, his ceiling doesn’t quite reach what either Towns or Okafor demonstrate. He doesn’t demonstrate the powerful and explosive play of an NBA superstar, and as such could struggle on a team that hopes for him to be their Day One focal point. Basically, the Knicks should stick with either Towns or Okafor.

Some NBA fans may have seen D’Angelo Russell before. During the USA Basketball practice leading up to the Summer Olympics in London, Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin showed off a few of his dunks.

That is young D’Angelo Russell, soaking in the dunk, declaring to the heavens “HE AIN’T EVEN STRETCH DOE!” He should know that Blake Griffin is always limber, and he should follow suit. Otherwise, there could be a bright future ahead for this player.

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