COLUMBUS, Ohio -- There's this team located about an hour from where D'Angelo Russell grew up. You may have heard of it.

The college basketball super team that hasn't lost, the one loaded with unparalleled talent and depth, the one that's the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and perhaps the heaviest favorite to win a national championship the sport has ever seen.

There's another team located directly in Russell's hometown. That one is a No. 4 seed, is led by a legendary coach, has a deeper roster than Ohio State and is more familiar with deep NCAA Tournament runs than early trips home.

The first one is Kentucky. The other is Louisville.

Yet Russell left Louisville, left Kentucky, for Ohio State, a No. 10 seed in the NCAA Tournament that will face No. 7 Virginia Commonwealth in Portland, Oregon on Thursday. The Buckeyes aren't expected to get out of the first weekend despite having Russell, a first-team All-American and a projected top-five NBA Draft pick.

Which gets you thinking: In a world where teaming up is a trend - you can thank Cleveland Cavaliers megastar LeBron James for that -- why is Russell at Ohio State when maybe he could've stayed home with a flashier team? Why did he leave his city? Why did he leave his state?

Above all, now that it's March and his freshman season and maybe his college career are coming to an end, what's been the difference for Russell between staying home and being at Ohio State?

"Probably a couple million dollars," Ohio State coach Thad Matta said.

Russell likes to joke around and sometimes he playfully caused trouble in middle school. It was nothing ever serious, just a little clowning around. Kids.

But one time when he was in seventh grade he was asked to come after school and help set up the stage for a school play. Russell and a friend showed up after school for three hours and helped set up. He swears by it.

A teacher saw it differently. Russell said she wanted them to stay longer, and from his viewpoint that was unnecessary, so he left. That teacher felt disrespected, Russell's principal found out, and he was forced to miss one of the most important games of his middle school career.

Missing the game stung, but that wasn't the hardest part.

"Everyone thinks their teachers lie on them, but I really got lied on," Russell told Northeast Ohio Media Group last weekend at the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago. "She really hated me. And my dad believed her over me."

You could see in Russell's eyes that he was still hurt by it, though it may seem insignificant now. The argument with his father, Antonio, turned into a life-changing event. Russell moved out, and moved in with his mother, Keisha, for three months.

Everything changed. No more new Air Jordan sneakers, no more new clothes, no more advantages he had living with his father. He was with his mom now, and he described her as a "working woman."

"We shared the same cereal bowl," Russell said. "The same forks and spoons."

Because Keisha was always working, Russell had to become self-sufficient despite being 13. That responsibility turned into a regimented schedule: Bus, school, bus home, walk his dog, eat, then off to the nearby basketball court to work on his game.

"I remember all of my priorities were set," Russell said. "I never set my life to be on a routine, but it was the same routine. It was utopia."

Of course Russell moved back in with his father in a few months after everything blew over. Russell refers to Antonio as not only his father, but a brother, a role model and someone he can always share his life with.


But that minor school incident, that disagreement Russell had with his father, taught him how to survive by leaning on himself. That turned out to be necessary, because midway through Russell's high school career he left Kentucky to go play at Florida boarding school Montverde Academy.

"That was the best thing for him," Antonio said. "He was a man about it, hung in there and got the best out of that situation to get him to this point."

Russell's game took off at Montverde. That's when he became one of the most sought-after college basketball prospects in the country. That's where he learned how to be a man. And maybe he wouldn't have been able to do it if it weren't for what happened to him in middle school.

"That was a big moment of my life," said Russell, reflecting back on his time with his mother. "It's the reason I am what I am."

The two easiest recruitments Matta ever had were former one-and-done players Mike Conley Jr. and Greg Oden. He puts Russell in that same category. Incidentally, those three players would be the debate points for "best freshman in Ohio State history."

You can see why Russell's recruitment was so easy, though. There were no Instagram posts, no Twitter posts, no announcements, no ceremonies and he took only one official visit. ... to Ohio State.

"It wasn't a dog and pony show," Matta said.

A former five-star prospect, Russell immediately clicked with Matta. He wanted to commit months earlier, but his father urged him to take his time. Time changed nothing, then Russell committed with more than a year to go before he could sign.

But there were no second thoughts, secret visits or coded social media posts. Drama-free.

"He didn't have a superstar mentality," Ohio State assistant coach Jeff Boals said. "The great ones, they are easy to recruit because they know what they want."

The great ones, though, usually make a spectacle out of it. In reality, Russell was so quick and closed off, he may have cost himself other opportunities. When he chose the Buckeyes, Russell had scholarship offers from Arizona, Indiana, Louisville, Maryland, Tennessee, Virginia and others.

Kentucky hadn't offered yet, but given Russell was rated in the 247Sports composite rankings the No. 5 shooting guard in his class, the Wildcats may have gotten on board despite the fact it signed five top-10 players the previous year.

"You see through all that BS," Russell said. "You get over the hype, you see what matters and doesn't. I told my dad I didn't wanna go through all that crazy recruiting stuff. I always prided myself in being different. Just growing up, I didn't wanna go through official visits. Before, I want to be on ESPN and all that, but once reality set in and things got tough for me, it was just irrelevant.

"Coach Matta recruited me the best, I had a close relationship with him immediately and I saw a great opportunity at Ohio State. Sometimes it's just that simple."

*****

This is Russell's reward for doing it this way, for coming to Ohio State and taking the challenge of being the Buckeyes' go-to guy. This season could have been easier for Russell elsewhere, he could have been on a national championship-caliber team.

Instead, he'll have to shoulder the load for the Buckeyes if they have any chance of getting past VCU and a likely second-round matchup with No. 2 Arizona. He'll have to go even above and beyond what's already made him a projected top-five pick in this summer's NBA draft.

That he's in the position to do it, though, has paid off. Literally.

"I've always been my own guy," Russell said. "The attention I am getting now, I probably wouldn't get that if I were on a Kentucky team where it's a big list of all-stars. I just went my own way, and it's working out for me great."


Don't take that the wrong way. Russell is adamant that he hasn't made a decision yet, but when you're a top-five pick, that decision has been made for you. It's impossible to turn down that money.

Initially, Ohio State envisioned Russell would be a two-year guy -- "I don't think anyone had a one-and-done approach with him," Boals said -- but he's quickly acclimated to being a dominant force.

"There's something to be said about being given the green light to do whatever he wants," said NBA Draft expert Aran Smith, who has Russell the No. 2 overall pick on NBADraft.net. "I think if he would have ended up at a place like Kentucky, it would have held him back. I think at Ohio State, he has the luxury to take over and be the leader of the team and really show what he can do as a focal point."

Ohio State can't win without that.

But even if the Buckeyes' season ends in Portland this weekend and Russell's Ohio State career comes to a close, he's already proven to be one of the best players of the Matta era. And for a superstar to do it the way Russell did? It was worth ...

A couple million dollars

Love his game... would be thrilled if he ended up being our guy

Guys like Russell and Curry, when they shoot an open shot, you know its going in and it looks so effortless.

When was the last time that the knicks drafted a guy who can actually shoot?

5 assists, 6 rebs, shoots 42% from downtown on almost 7 attempts a game

mreinman wrote:Can't remember the last time there was such a pure shooter to come out ... curry seems like the last one. Guys like Beal can shoot but not at this level.

Guys like Russell and Curry, when they shoot an open shot, you know its going in and it looks so effortless.

When was the last time that the knicks drafted a guy who can actually shoot?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2015/03/18/ohio-states-dangelo-russell-the-ncaa-tournaments-must-watch-player/

PORTLAND – “I always modeled my game after Manu Ginobili,” Ohio State freshman D’Angelo Russell said Wednesday afternoon, and it was a hell of a thing to say. Ginobili is one of the most inimitable players in basketball history, a gawky mélange of no-look passes and reverse lay-ups, deadly and unique all at once.

But when you watch Russell, it fits. Russell is left-handed. He invents passing angles nobody else can see. He scores in a million different ways. He can carry his team on his back.

If any player in this year’s tournament joins the list of stars who single-handedly lug their teams deep into March – think Danny Manning, Carmelo Anthony and even Shabazz Napier last year – Russell may be the best candidate. A potential top-three pick in the NBA Draft, Russell leads the Buckeyes in points (19.3) and rebounds (5.6) per game while also averaging 5.1 assists.

He does everything for Ohio State, but the best part is how he does it. The 10-7 game is not always one to circle. But Russell makes Ohio State-VCU, Thursday afternoon at 4:40, a find-a-TV affair.

“He has such an orthodox game,” fellow freshman guard Jae’Sean Tate said. “I haven’t seen anything like him. That dude, he can see the floor, man. He’s got vision.”

Any primer on Russell’s flair must begin with one play. “Everybody saw that Northwestern pass,” Tate said.

Late January. Northwestern’s gym. Standing on the right wing, several steps past the three-point line, Russell held the ball with his left hand and watched forward Sam Thompson cut toward the basket, around a screen. Russell rifled the ball toward the paint with an underhand flick. It kicked to the left like a masse shot, dancing around defenders, directly into Thompson’s hands on the left block for a dunk.

VCU freshman Michael Gilmore played with Russell on the same AAU team. There would be times, Gilmore said, when Russell would implore him to roll after a pick when Gilmore thought there was no passing lane. “When I didn’t think I was open,” Gilmore said.

Gilmore asked himself how Russell had pulled off a move “almost every other play,” he said. “There were times when you didn’t know whether he was going to shoot or whether he was going to pass it to you. That’s what makes him the player he is. He’s crafty. He’s shifty. He’s unpredictable.”

Few players mean more to their teams than Russell. He could have gone to Kentucky or Louisville, the traditional powers from his home state. But he fostered a strong relationship with Ohio State Coach Thad Matta, and he also wanted to attend a school where he could stand out rather than blend in. The strategy worked; Russell will almost certainly not last past the first five picks in the NBA draft.

“It just happened,” Russell said. “I knew I would have a lot of weight on my shoulders coming in, just going through my recruitment. It just happened. Coach put me in the position to make plays and create for others. I just stuck with it.”

fishmike wrote:A do all fill out the stat sheet sick shooting 2-guard is going to be very very hard for Phil to pass on. The SG, especially one who can make plays and is versatile like Russell is tailor made for the triangle. After having Kobe and MJ in his offenses it would really say alot if we took this kid.

5 assists, 6 rebs, shoots 42% from downtown on almost 7 attempts a game

This is the kind of information I need to hear. This is why some guys reach their potential, and others don't. If you add up his skill set and maturity, I don't see why you can't select him 1st overall. Don't forget, the free agent class is filled with bigs, and limited in guards. If Towns is projected to have a ceiling close to Monroe (for example), then why not draft Russell and get Monroe as a free agent. The goal is to add quality talent at the two most important positions. And if Russell is one of the best passers and shooter in the draft, plus add his maturity, I will have no problems if Russell is selected 1st overall.

This is also why Phil is not in full tank mode, because you have options in the top 3 picks. OK4, Towns, Russell are all legit picks. Russell and OK4 seems to be mature and ready to impact the NBA right away. Towns has been my pick from the very beginning. Next someone will find an article on Towns that will make me switch again. But if PG / SGs are limited in free agency, and Phil plans to use free agency to build this team, then go ahead and snatch Russell (especially if Ricky / Shevd wins a few more games, which is possible...Russell will be within range)....Buy a low pick for a big thats a project, pick up a big in free agency (Monroe/Aldrige for example).....and now we have a legit team with key areas filled in, with money left over for 2016 big fish like Durrant / Lebron.

mreinman wrote:Can't remember the last time there was such a pure shooter to come out ... curry seems like the last one. Guys like Beal can shoot but not at this level.

Guys like Russell and Curry, when they shoot an open shot, you know its going in and it looks so effortless.

When was the last time that the knicks drafted a guy who can actually shoot?

The 70's Knicks lol

franco12 wrote:

fishmike wrote:

newyorker4ever wrote:I am a HUGE fan of this kid and would absolutely love him being a Knick but if we get a top 2 pick then i just don't see Phil not drafting a big (OK4 or Towns) because the triangle depends on a couple of good bigs so much. Now if Towns and OK4 are gone then i see him picking Russell over any of the other bigs or Mudiay unless he trades down of course. I really want Russell though.

Oh I agree, and quite frankly I agree with that sentiment. I would say either OK/Towns would have to show some pretty huge red flag (health?) for the Knicks to pass on, either that or Russell would have to simply look that good.

That being said, as much as I like him if we did take him over OK4/Towns one would have to think this kid did something that really blew Phil away.

Russell is so smooth in everything he does, its almost hard to gauge how good an athlete he is. I suspect that may dictate where he ranks with the other guys at the top.

the draft is funny... its like a rule you cant pass on OK4/Towns to take a small player, but that small may very well end up being the best player in the draft. Regardless if we fall to 3-4 and get Russell I would view that as drafting a franchise caliber player

Let me preface that I have watched zero CBB & have no idea if any of these players are good or not.

But, I lean towards Russell because of the way the game has evolved and dynamic guards are able to impact the game in ways talented bigs aren't today. Especially come play offs.

Where is Dwight Howard?

I'd be happpy with Cole Aldrich & Lou & Jason Smith if I had a dynamic back court that could attack, break defenses down, set up team mates for easy scores and finish at the basket.

Not very triangle of me, but just my opinion.

He's playing today at 4ish in the 7-10 game. Ohio are underdogs so it should be a really fun game to watch.