Want to ask ESPN RecruitingNation national recruiting director Paul Biancardi a question about basketball recruiting? Tweet it to @PaulBiancardi using the hashtag #AskCoachB.
@PaulBiancardi How much NBA potential does D'Angelo Russell have? Possibly 2 years and gone? #AskCoachB
— Jacob Mills (@@TOOsmooth_Mills) March 17, 2014
I believe D'Angelo Russell has a good chance to make the NBA.
The Ohio State signee has the tools and the mindset to be a combination guard. His stroke is strong and consistent from deep, and he has a nifty pull-up jumper inside the arc and outside the paint. Russell's instincts for scoring are well above average, and he demonstrates excellent court vision to rack up assists. He's capable of bringing the ball up the floor and initiating the offense.
However, there are many areas that he needs to develop, which include his weak hand (right) drive, his overall defensive approach and committing himself to the weight room.
Don't put a preconceived time frame on how long it should take to be drafted because that ruins the process. He needs to go to Columbus and unpack his bags with the thought of graduating and playing all four years. If the NBA wants him before that, it will let him know.
If he concentrates on helping Ohio State win and improving his skill set, his defense and his frame, I believe he'll make it.
