Duke freshman Jahlil Okafor is the consensus No. 1 pick of the 2015 NBA draft, but Ohio State freshman D'Angelo Russell reportedly is the draft's "most skilled player" and could go second or third to the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks or the Philadelphia 76ers.
It's difficult to find anyone who believes Okafor, as of now, won't be the first player taken in June. The other four spots in the top five are less certain, with ESPN's Chad Ford reporting Russell has risen on his Top 100 list and could be the second or third player to go after Okafor.
"But Russell is making a strong case for the No. 1 pick. He's the hottest name among NBA scouts and general managers at the moment. He, too, has been a potent offensive weapon as a freshman. He's a terrific scorer, a lethal shooter with deep range on his jump shot and he can really see the floor," Ford wrote Friday. "Russell is a 6-foot-5 combo guard who makes the game look effortless. For teams with young post prospects like the Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz, he's going to be very tempting. I've moved him up to No. 3 on my Top 100 and he's right there in the mix along with Emmanuel Mudiay, Karl-Anthony Towns and Kristaps Porzingis."
In another article, ESPN's Fran Fraschilla called Ohio State's starting guard "the most skilled player" in this year's draft class. In his first year with the Buckeyes, Russell is putting up big numbers: 19.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game. His size - 6-foot-5 with a 6-9 wingspan - and his ability to score and to pass are one thing, but Fraschilla believes Russell's basketball IQ and his maturity are the two things that will set him apart from the rest of the class.
"Most impressive is that he already possesses the poise and countenance of a 10-year NBA veteran," Fraschilla wrote Friday.
The New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers, in addition to Philadelphia, also could be eying Russell early in the draft.
The NBA draft is on June 25.
