D' Angelo Russell: Scouting Report

D’Angelo Russell – 6’4”, SG, 2014

High School: Montverde Academy

AAU Team: Each 1 Teach 1 (Nike)

College: Committed to Ohio State (6/7/12)

Background:

Freshman Year: Russell is a native of Louisville, Kentucky and played his freshman season at Central High where his team went 15-10. After his freshman year, Russell joined the Louisville Magic 15U AAU squad and teamed up with another local product in point guard Quentin Snider who is now committed to Louisville. These two gained notoriety for leading the Magic to the Kentucky state AAU championship as well as winning the Adidas Invitational in Indianapolis. 

Sophomore Year: Russell transferred to Montverde Academy in Florida in order to play against a national schedule and practice against some of the top players in the country in Kasey Hill and Michael Frazier. Minutes were limited as he played behind these two future Gators, but Russell still provided a valuable presence off the bench for one of the top teams in the country. After his sophomore year, Russell went back to playing for his Louisville Magic AAU team making appearances for both the 17U and 16U teams. He re-joined Snider in July and helped the Magic 16U team win their second consecutive Adidas Invitational. 

Junior year: As a junior, Russell joined Hill in the Montverde starting backcourt which soon became the top team in the country. Montverde won both the City of Palms in December as well as the famed National High School Invitational in March. Russell averaged 12 points and 4 rebounds a game in the City of Palms and also provided a lockdown defensive effort in their championship win. This past spring Russell joined up with the Florida based Each 1 Teach 1 AAU squad in order to play in the Nike EYBL. Russell struggled during the first two EYBL sessions with his shot, but came alive in Dallas and will look to help his team win the famed Peach Jam in July. 

Strengths:

Defense: Standing at 6’4” with a 6’8.5” wing span, Russell is a tenacious on the ball defender. Over the past two summers, the Louisville Magic unleashed Russell as a defender as they made him the lead defender on their full-court press. In the press, Russell would start off guarding the man inbounding the ball and would then quickly switch to the player bringing the ball up the court.  Russell’s pressure led to numerous turnovers and easy baskets for the Magic over the past two years.

In the high school scene, head coach Kevin Boyle routinely put Russell on the opposing teams’ best player with successful results. In the 2012 City of Palm’s championship Russell guarded TJ Haws, a sharp shooter from Lone Peak high school in Utah. Haws was having an excellent tournament before being matched-up with Russell and struggled mightily with the length and pressure displayed by Russell. Despite having NBA type range, open shots were hard to come by in the half-court set for Haws. While Russell’s role on defense switched when he changed AAU teams this spring, he still is a lock-down defender that is currently averaging 1.4 steals per game. 

Offensive Versatility: Russell is a multi-faceted offensive player that can do a little bit of everything. He is strongest at slashing to the basket for a lay-up, floater, or dishing to an open teammate. He also has the capability to knock down several 3’s throughout the course of a ball game and can handle the ball well enough to provide periodic help at the point guard position. Russell is most comfortable in the open court, but uses his long arms and quickness to get to the basket from either the left or right wing in the half-court. He can also fill up a stat sheet and is currently averaging 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in the EYBL.

Weakness:

Shooting: As noted under the “offensive versatility” section, Russell has the ability to knock down multiple deep shots in games and has often produced games where he has made three or four three’s in a game. While he can put the ball in the basket, he is also a streaky shooter who can go through long cold stretches from the outside. Russell is most comfortable shooting just below the foul line extended on either wing, but when he is off his misses are usually all over the place. During the EYBL season Russell struggled mightily with his shot in April and only made 27.5% (14-51) from the three point line with his shots falling short, long, left, and right. The lefty has a quick release but will need to work on adding some arc to his shot to improve the consistency and accuracy of his outside shooting. 

Overall:

D’Angelo Russell is an extremely talented shooting guard that leads with his defensive pressure and offers up a little bit of everything on the offensive end. Over the years he played an integral part in winning highly competitive AAU tournaments as well as a mythical high school national championship. With an improved outside jump shot, there is no doubt that Russell will leave his mark on the Buckeye basketball program.