D'Angelo Russell Emerging as Top 2015 NBA Draft Guard Prospect in College Hoops
Though no doubt a terrific talent out of Montverde Academy, there were some questions prior to the season regarding freshman D'Angelo Russell's outlook as an NBA prospect. But those questions have become less pressing after a month at Ohio State, as they've been overshadowed by the upside his versatility and potent attack ultimately fuel.
Russell has looked like an offensive tornado through nine games, averaging 17.7 points, 5.6 assists and 4.7 rebounds on 47.5 percent shooting.
And there's just something convincing about his early-season production and strong first impression, even if he has had a few hiccups along the way.
Russell operates with a ton of confidence, which plays to his believability. But his sales pitch to the pros revolves around his unique blend of strengths—the size and scoring arsenal of a 2 to match the floor game of a lead guard.
With Shannon Scott running the point on a more exclusive basis, Russell has spent a good amount of time off the ball so far this season. And he's been effective in that role, thanks to a refined perimeter game and what's been a lethal outside stroke.
He's averaging 2.2 three-point makes at a scorching 43.5 percent clip. Russell doesn't get much elevation, but at 6'5", he's got a quick release and the ability to connect with defenders in his face.
The fact that he's 6'5" and can shoot speaks to the safety he offers as a prospect, but it's the firepower he's capable of unloading off the dribble that really drives his potential.
Russell is a scoring playmaker. He reminds me of a mix between Goran Dragic and Monta Ellis—guys who could go out and get their own, on or off the ball, as well as set the table for teammates as their facilitator.
He certainly proved he can get his own against Sacred Heart, when he went for 32 points in just his third career game. "I just told myself whoever was guarding me I was gonna destroy them," Russell told Cleveland.com's Bill Landis.
From pull-ups off two feet and floaters off one to hard drives and finishes on the break, he's flashed the ability to generate offense in a variety of different ways.
As a point guard, Russell tends to get a little reckless, but his passing instincts look legitimate.
He's got excellent vision on the move, whether he's driving off a screen or pushing the ball off a defensive rebound.
Russell displays a tremendous command of the ball in terms of his ability to get to his spots on the floor. And with point guards nowadays almost required to shoot and score, you get the impression that could be the position where Russell's future lies in the pros.
Given his physical tools and quickness, Russell could offer some serious mismatch potential at the point.
Right now, he's turning the ball over a little too much (3.2 times per game), although feel free to place some blame on his monster 32.08 percent usage rate, an incredibly high number for an 18-year-old freshman on a top-15 team.
But that's the level of trust and responsibility Ohio State's coaching staff has given to Russell, who has the ability to impact a game in more ways than anyone else on the squad. Even in Russell's worst outing of the year (6-of-20 from the floor, as his jumper just wouldn't fall) against a tough Louisville defense, he still managed to put up 17 points, seven assists, six boards and two steals.
Russell won't blow anyone away with above-the-rim hops or explosiveness, but he's no stiff out there, while his feel for the game and skill level are both far ahead of the curve.
Looking down the list of eligible guards for the 2015 draft—well, there just aren't many exciting ones outside of Emmanuel Mudiay, who's finishing up in China, and Mario Hezonja, who plays for Barcelona in Euroleague and the Spanish ACB.
| Top College Guard Prospects | Projected Draft Range |
| Caris LeVert, Michigan | Late Lottery to Mid-First Round |
| R.J. Hunter, Georgia State | Mid-First to Late First Round |
| Norman Powell, UCLA | Mid-First to Late First Round |
| Delon Wright, Utah | Mid-First to Second Round |
| Tyus Jones, Duke | Late First to Second Round |
| Ron Baker, Wichita State | Late First to Second Round |
| Andrew Harrison, Kentucky | Late First to Second Round |
| Rashad Vaughn, UNLV | Late First to Second Round |
| Jerian Grant, Notre Dame | Late First to Second Round |
| Buddy Hield, Oklahoma | Late First to Second Round |
| Terry Rozier, Louisvlle | Mid-First to Second Round |
This year's projected field appears to be heavily populated by 4s and 5s, while I'd consider guys like Arizona's Stanley Johnson and Duke's Justise Winslow more as small forwards or wings.
In what looks like a weak class of guards, Russell has quickly made the case for being the most promising of those playing at the Division I level.
And it's a little unexpected, given the traditional fear tied to combos. But Russell is one of the rare ones—a guy with the physical tools to play either position along with a balanced offensive repertoire built to score, create and orchestrate.
He's immediately entered the 2015 lottery conversation, where I'd imagine he'll stay until June 25.
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