A source close to D’Angelo Russell said the projected top-five draft pick “really loves Philly” following his visit to the city earlier this week, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey.
After arriving in Philadelphia on Tuesday and having dinner with Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie that night, the Ohio State product worked out with the Sixers on Wednesday afternoon. He also met with coach Brett Brown on his trip.
While the source also said Russell “killed it” at the workout, the former Buckeye himself had little to say to reporters.
“Great,” he said when asked how the workout went (see story).
This news will probably be met with a bit of a sigh of relief from Sixers fans after Russell had to cancel his original workout last weekend because of an illness.
The workout came just one day after another top-five pick hopeful, point guard Emmanuel Mudiay, impressed team officials during a workout of his own.
Russell could be the pick for the Sixers at No. 3 if he makes it past the Timberwolves and Lakers at one and two, respectively. The Big Ten freshman of the year averaged 19.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists in his only season playing in college. He also shot 41.1 percent from three-point range and was named a first-team All-American.
NBA
The 2015 NBA draft will be held on June 25 from Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. Along with the No. 3 pick, the Sixers have five second-round picks they can use to bolster their roster.