Derek Bodner is covering the NBA Draft at Philadelphia magazine’s Sixers Draftland. Read his previous coverage here. Follow him on Twitter at @DerekBodnerNBA
D’Angelo Russell to Work Out for the Sixers After All
Last week's cancellation caused minor panic among a fanbase concerned that the Ohio State guard was avoiding Philly. He'll work out with the team today.
Ohio State Buckeyes guard D’Angelo Russell (0) shoots flagrant 1 foul shots against the Virginia Commonwealth Rams during the second half in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2015.
Last week, Ohio State guard D’Angelo Russell canceled his scheduled workout with the Sixers, a move which raised eyebrows across the Delaware Valley. Did Russell have a promise from the Lakers with the No. 2 pick? Was Russell’s camp trying to steer him away from the Sixers?
A few hours later a report came out that Russell canceled the workout because he was sick, which seemed to quell concern from a Sixers fanbase that has considerable interest in adding the sweet-shooting lefty to Philadelphia’s rebuilding core.
Last night, those concerns were finally fully put to rest, as Michael Scotto of the Associated Press reported that Russell would workout for the Sixers today.
Russell, who has been one of the favorites to be drafted by the Sixers with their No. 3 overall pick since the lottery results were announced on May 19th, averaged 19.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game during his freshman season at Ohio State, shooting 44.9% from the field and 41.1% from three point range. Russell was named the Big Ten Freshman of the year and was named to the Big Ten’s All-Conference First Team.
The Sixers also hosted point guard Emmanuel Mudiay this past week, treating him to dinner on Monday, followed up by a workout on Tuesday. The workout was also attended by current and former Sixers players, including Pierre Jackson, Furkan Aldemir, JaKarr Sampson, Isaiah Canaan, Jerami Grant and Jordan McRae, according to Keith Pompey.
Mudiay averaged 18 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game for the Guangdong Southern Tigers in China, although he shot just 34.2% from three point range and 57.4% from the free throw line.
Previously in Sixers Draftland:
• Karl-Anthony Towns: The Big Man the Sixers Probably Want — and Likely Can’t Get
• Does Joel Embiid’s Setback Change Sixers’ Draft Plans?
• Welcome to Sixers Draftland
