D’Angelo Russell

D’Angelo Russell Bio

D’Angelo Russell (born February 23, 1996), nicknamed “DLo”, is an American professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The 6-foot-3-inch point guard was selected second overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2015 NBA draft after playing one season for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Russell earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors in 2016 and received his first All-Star selection in 2019. He won the NBA Cup with the Lakers in 2023 and has established himself as a reliable scoring threat and playmaker throughout his career.

Early Life and Background

D’Angelo Russell was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on February 23, 1996. He attended Central High School in Louisville for his freshman year before transferring to Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida. At Montverde, Russell developed into a highly regarded prospect, helping the school win back-to-back High School National Tournament championships while playing alongside future NBA player Ben Simmons. Russell was rated as a five-star recruit by Rivals.com and attracted attention from major college programs across the country.

Russell committed to Ohio State on June 7, 2013, choosing the Buckeyes over Louisville, Michigan State, and North Carolina. He played in the McDonald’s All-American Game and Jordan Brand Classic during his high school career, solidifying his reputation as one of the top prospects in the 2014 class.

Path to Professional Basketball

Russell played one season of college basketball for the Ohio State Buckeyes during the 2014-15 season. He made an immediate impact, recording a triple-double with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists against Rutgers on February 8, 2015. That performance marked the first triple-double by an Ohio State freshman in program history. Russell scored a career-high 33 points against Northwestern later that season and contributed 28 points in an NCAA Tournament overtime win over VCU.

Russell earned numerous accolades in his lone college season. He won the Jerry West Award as the nation’s top shooting guard, was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and earned consensus first-team All-American honors. He was also selected to the first-team All-Big Ten team. In 35 games, Russell averaged 19.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. He declared for the NBA draft on April 22, 2015, forgoing his remaining college eligibility after being projected as one of the top prospects in the draft class.

D’Angelo Russell Career

Los Angeles Lakers (2015–2017)

Russell was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the second overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft. He made his NBA debut on October 28, 2015, recording four points, three rebounds, and two assists in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Russell steadily improved throughout his rookie season, recording his first career double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds against the Atlanta Hawks on December 4, 2015. On March 1, 2016, he set a career high with 39 points and eight three-pointers in a win over the Brooklyn Nets. His eight three-pointers broke Nick Van Exel’s previous Lakers rookie record, and his 39 points were the most by any rookie that season and the most by a Lakers rookie in a regular season game since Elgin Baylor’s 55-point performance in 1959.

Russell earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors after leading all rookies in steals per game and becoming the youngest player to make 130 three-pointers in a single season. In his second season with the Lakers (2016-17), Russell scored a career-high 40 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 19, 2017. He missed time with knee and calf injuries but continued developing as a playmaker, recording a career-high 11 assists against the Washington Wizards.

Brooklyn Nets Breakthrough (2017–2019)

On June 22, 2017, Russell was traded to the Brooklyn Nets along with Timofey Mozgov in exchange for Brook Lopez and draft rights to Kyle Kuzma. Russell’s debut season with the Nets was interrupted when he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in November 2017, causing him to miss 32 games. He returned in January 2018 and gradually regained his rhythm. Russell recorded his first career triple-double with 18 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds against the Toronto Raptors on March 23, 2018.

The 2018-19 season marked Russell’s breakthrough year. He scored a career-high 44 points against the Sacramento Kings on March 19, 2019, including 27 points in the fourth quarter. He also broke Allen Crabbe’s single-season Nets franchise record with 201 three-pointers made that year. Russell earned his first All-Star selection in February 2019 as a replacement for the injured Victor Oladipo. He helped the Nets finish as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 42-40 record and scored 26 points in Game 1 of their playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Golden State Warriors (2019–2020)

On July 7, 2019, Russell joined the Golden State Warriors via a sign-and-trade deal for Kevin Durant, signing a four-year, $117 million contract. He made an immediate impact with his new team, scoring a career-high 52 points on November 8, 2019, in an overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Russell appeared in 33 games during the 2019-20 season, averaging a career-high 23.6 points per game.

Minnesota Timberwolves (2020–2023)

On February 6, 2020, Russell was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves along with Jacob Evans and Omari Spellman in exchange for Andrew Wiggins and draft picks. Russell joined his close friend Karl-Anthony Towns and fulfilled their shared dream of playing together in the NBA. He debuted four days later with 22 points and five assists against the Toronto Raptors. Russell played three seasons with the Timberwolves, consistently serving as a secondary scorer and playmaker alongside Towns. He scored a season-high 37 points in a win over the Memphis Grizzlies on February 24, 2022, and added 29 points in a Play-In victory against the Los Angeles Clippers that April.

Return to Lakers (2023–2024)

On February 9, 2023, Russell was traded back to the Los Angeles Lakers in a three-team deal involving the Utah Jazz. He made his return debut two days later, recording 15 points, five rebounds, and six assists in a win over the Golden State Warriors. Russell played a key role in the Lakers’ run to the 2023 NBA Playoffs, scoring a career playoff high of 31 points in Game 6 of their first-round series against the Memphis Grizzlies.

On July 7, 2023, Russell re-signed with the Lakers on a two-year, $36 million contract. He helped the team win the inaugural NBA Cup in December 2023. Russell continued his strong offensive production throughout the season, scoring 35 points against the Detroit Pistons in November and 39 points against the Utah Jazz in January 2024. On March 22, 2024, Russell broke Nick Van Exel’s record for the most three-pointers made in a single season in Lakers franchise history.

Return to Brooklyn and Dallas Mavericks (2024–2026)

On December 29, 2024, Russell was traded back to the Brooklyn Nets, where he had previously starred from 2017 to 2019. He appeared in 26 games during the 2024-25 season, averaging 10.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. On July 6, 2025, Russell signed a two-year, $13 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks. He made 26 appearances for the Mavericks during the 2025-26 season, averaging 10.2 points and 4.0 assists. On February 5, 2026, Russell was traded to the Washington Wizards in a three-team deal involving the Charlotte Hornets.

Playing Style and Strengths

Russell is known as an athletic point guard with excellent scoring ability and playmaking skills. He possesses a versatile offensive game, capable of scoring from mid-range, driving to the basket, and shooting from beyond the arc. Russell’s shooting touch and court vision allow him to create opportunities for teammates while also carrying the scoring load. He has shown the ability to take over games offensively, recording multiple 40-point performances throughout his career. Russell’s three-point shooting has been a consistent weapon, helping him set franchise records wherever he has played.

Notable Career Milestones

Russell has achieved several notable milestones throughout his NBA career. His 52-point performance against Minnesota in 2019 represents his career high. He won the NBA Cup with the Lakers in the inaugural tournament in 2023. Russell broke the Lakers’ single-season franchise record for three-pointers in 2024 and previously broke the Nets’ franchise record in 2019. His first career triple-double came with the Nets in March 2018. Russell’s All-Star selection in 2019 marked his emergence as one of the league’s top point guards during his time with Brooklyn.

D’Angelo Russell Career Highlights

Russell has built a solid career across nine NBA seasons with seven different franchises. He has appeared in over 600 career games and established himself as a consistent scorer and playmaker at the professional level. His career highlights include All-Star honors, All-Rookie recognition, and championship success at both the professional and collegiate levels.

NBA Achievements

Russell earned his only All-Star selection in 2019 when he was named to the Eastern Conference roster as a replacement for Victor Oladipo. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2016 following his first season with the Lakers. Russell won the NBA Cup championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in December 2023, capturing the inaugural tournament title.

College and High School Honors

Before his NBA career, Russell dominated at the collegiate level. He won the Jerry West Award in 2015 as the nation’s top shooting guard. Russell earned consensus first-team All-American honors and was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year in his only season at Ohio State. As a high school senior at Montverde Academy in 2014, Russell was selected to play in the McDonald’s All-American Game, showcasing his status as one of the top prospects in his class.

D’Angelo Russell Family

Family Background

Specific details about D’Angelo Russell’s parents, siblings, and family background are not extensively documented in available public sources. He was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, where he attended Central High School before transferring to Montverde Academy in Florida for his final high school seasons.

Personal Life

Russell maintains a close friendship with fellow NBA player Karl-Anthony Towns, with whom he played alongside during their time with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The two players fulfilled their shared dream of playing together in the NBA after years of friendship. Russell has built his professional career across multiple franchises, demonstrating adaptability and resilience throughout his NBA journey. He resides in the Dallas area during the NBA season.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season marked a transitional year for Russell as he joined the Dallas Mavericks. Signed to a two-year, $13 million contract in July 2025, Russell provided veteran experience and offensive firepower off the bench for a Mavericks team with championship aspirations. He appeared in 26 games during the regular season, averaging 10.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists while shooting efficiently from the field. Russell’s ability to space the floor and create off the dribble gave the Mavericks’ coaching staff flexibility in managing guard rotations.

Russell adjusted to his role with Dallas after arriving in free agency. His veteran presence and playoff experience proved valuable in a competitive Western Conference. He demonstrated his playmaking abilities, averaging 4.0 assists per game while maintaining his scoring efficiency. Russell’s three-point shooting continued to be a weapon, though his role was more limited than during his All-Star season with Brooklyn in 2019.

Mid-season, Russell was traded to the Washington Wizards in February 2026, beginning a new chapter of his NBA career. The move gave Russell an opportunity for increased playing time with a young Wizards team building for the future. His career spanning seven franchises demonstrates his value as a versatile guard who can contribute to different team situations and playing styles.