Report: Ohio State guard D'Angelo Russell declares for NBA draft
Ohio State guard D'Angelo Russell has declared for the NBA draft, reports ESPN.com's Paul Biancardi.
Russell averaged 19.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists over 33.9 minutes per game as a freshman, playing a key role on an Ohio State team that finished 24–11 after losing to Arizona in the NCAA tournament's Round of 32.
• Report: Five-star G Malik Newman to commit to Mississippi State
Russell was named a first-team All-American by multiple outlets last season and was also the Big Ten freshman of the year, as voted on by coaches and media.
"This was a hard decision because I knew I could come back and play with my teammates who I love, and to be coached by coach Thad Matta again would have been awesome, but at the same time I wanted to pursue my dream of playing in the NBA," Russell told ESPN.com on Wednesday. "I know what I am capable of and the sky's the limit with effort. I know I have a lot to work on."
SI.com's Chris Mannix projected Russell to the Sacramento Kings with the No. 6 pick in June's draft, saying, "Questions about Russell’s athleticism are drowned out by praise for his playmaking and brilliance in the pick-and-roll. Russell is an ideal complement to DeMarcus Cousins."
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Russell came to Ohio State as a five-star recruit and the No. 18 prospect in the class of 2014, according to Rivals.com.
- Mike Fiammetta