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Around this time last year, plenty of the current NBA rookies were basking in the glory of collegiate success while preparing for the upcoming NCAA tournament. Some of those players have become stars in their own right once entering the league.
Devin Booker recently joined his former UK teammate Karl-Anthony Towns as being one of the few rookies to amass 30 points in one outing. Coupling Booker’s recent performance with Kristaps Porzingis’ strong start and D’Angelo Russell’s “ice water” outing — the 2015 Draft class is rather formidable.
With that in mind, we present the latest edition of Kicks On Court Spotlight, as we document the best rookies of the season. To see more, continue through the pages below to enjoy.
D’Angelo Russell
Selection in 2015 NBA Draft: No.2
Current Rookie Averages: 13.1 pts, 3.6 reb, 3.5 ast
Notable Shoes Worn: Nike Kobe IX, X & XI
Playing for Byron Scott in a “basketball sense” has to be like spending time in the Russian Gulag. Merely a desolate area with no hope or signs of ever prospering.
That seemed to be the case for D’Angelo Russell at the beginning of his rookie season, as a demotion and limited playing time canvassed various game logs of the rookie from Ohio State. However, fast-forward to after the All-Star break and Russell is playing like the elite talent draft analysts pegged him to be. His recent array of three-point shooting culminated in an 8-trey performance that delighted crowds and provided hope to L.A.
Furthermore, his fleet of reputable sneakers throughout the season has been vast, as he has chosen to honor his teammate’s final year with a variety of Nike Kobe staples that include the Nike Kobe IX, X and the XI.
