4. D’Angelo Russell, PG, Ohio State
Like Mudiay, Russell is another 6’5″ point guard, who is expect to hear his name somewhere in the top-10 of the draft. However, size and draft status are pretty much where the comparison ends between the two guards.
Unlike Mudiay, Russell does not have the world class athleticism that Mudiay has, but instead he is far more adept at reading defenses and finding his teammates. His vision, above anything else, is what makes Russell so special, he seems to have the ball on a string, putting irregular spins on the ball, to make passes where the window may only be a few inches.
Moreover, Russell has an elite basketball IQ, seeing plays develop two or three frames before everybody else, making him an ideal floor general. As decorated as Russell is as a passer, he is also a very capable scorer, as evidenced by his 19.3 scoring average in his only year at Ohio State.
While Russell is a gifted passer and scorer, it remains to be seen whether he can sustain that success at the next level due to his average athleticism, especially with bigger, more disciplined defenders, waiting for him there.
Next: Justise Winslow