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NBA Scout: D’Angelo Russell Could Be No. 1 Pick
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All posts by Basketball InsidersUpdated3 hours ago on April 25, 2024
One veteran birddog has (D’Angelo) Russell as his No. 1 pick in the entire Draft, ahead of two big men who are the top two selections in most mocks and are considered the top names by most teams: Duke’s Jahlil Okafor and Kentucky’s Karl-Anthony Towns. His reasoning is thus: the NBA game has become a game where teams hunt 3-pointers, layups and free throws on offense. Russell, who shot 41 percent on 3-pointers and got to the line 4.5 times a game for the Buckeyes, can do them all.
“Bigs can’t do all of those things,” the scout said. “The only people who can do all three are perimeter players, and usually the guys with the ball in their hands. He can shoot the ball. He will get fouled. And he can make a play for others to make other people better. If you’re talking about putting together a team for the core future of your team, you have to give as much thought to this guy, and (Mudiay), as you do the two big guys.”
