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Ohio State guard D’Angelo Russell to enter 2015 NBA Draft

D'Angelo Russell, Marcus Paige, Isaiah Hicks

AP

AP

While many anticipated that Ohio State freshman guard D’Angelo Russell, who’s expected to be a top five pick, would enter the 2015 NBA Draft nothing had been announced with the NBA’s early entry deadline less than a week away. Wednesday afternoon it was reported by ESPN.com that Russell will indeed forego his final three seasons of eligibility, with the talented guard providing a quote as well.

“This was a hard decision because I knew I could come back and play with my teammates who I love, and to be coached by coach Thad Matta again would have been awesome, but at the same time I wanted to pursue my dream of playing in the NBA,” Russell told ESPN.com on Wednesday. “I know what I am capable of and the sky’s the limit with effort. I know I have a lot to work on.”

In his lone season as a Buckeye, Russell played both on and off the ball and was one of the best players (not just freshmen) in the country. The Montverde Academy product led Thad Matta’s team to the NCAA tournament Round of 32, averaging 19.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.
The Updated NBA Draft Early Entry List

With the seniors, led by guards Shannon Scott and Sam Thompson, and Russell moving on Ohio State will be a very young team next season. Rising junior forward Marc Loving will be their lone scholarship upperclassman, and on the perimeter freshmen A.J. Harris, JaQuan Lyle and Austin Grandstaff and sophomore Kam Williams will be key players as the Buckeyes look to account for their personnel losses.