2015 NBA Draft: Top Underclassmen Prospects

Apr 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Left to right are, Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor (15) and guard Matt Jones (13) and forward Justise Winslow (12) and guards Tyus Jones (5) and Quinn Cook (2) and head coach Mike Krzyzewski during the team press conference at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 21, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard D’Angelo Russell (0) sits on the bench before the game against the Arizona Wildcats in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

4. D’Angelo Russell, SG, 6-5, 180 pounds, OSU FR*

Outside of Jahlil Okafor, did any freshman have better numbers than Russell? He single-handedly carried the Buckeyes this season, and that’s coming from an Ohioan. He put the team on his back a la Greg Jennings. There’s a lot to like about him: he has size to play both guard positions, he’s a great scorer– from anywhere on the floor — and he’s an outstanding passer.

Russell’s passing gets overlooked because of his scoring numbers, but I’m not sure another prospect this year sees the floor as well as him. Pin him as a scorer if you want, but scorers don’t make passes like this. The first team All-American put up gaudy stats: 19.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game on 44.9 percent shooting (41.1 percent from downtown) with the entire defense watching him!

I can make a case for pretty much any lottery team picking him, and that’s not as easy as it sounds. (I’d say the Minnesota Timberwolves pass on him, but could you imagine an Andrew Wiggins-D’Angelo Russell lineup?) His lack of athleticism hurts him, and he had trouble scoring against an elite defender like Arizona’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, which might scare some teams away. Scoring well in workouts will solidify his spot in the rankings.

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