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Lakers select D’Angelo Russell with No. 2 overall pick in 2015 NBA Draft

D'Angelo Russell gestures to the sky after being selected by the Lakers with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft at Barclays Center in Brookyln, N.Y.

D’Angelo Russell gestures to the sky after being selected by the Lakers with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft at Barclays Center in Brookyln, N.Y.

(Elsa Garrison / Getty Images)
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The Lakers selected Ohio State guard D’Angelo Russell with the second overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft on Thursday night.

At 6-foot-5, Russell is capable of playing either guard position. He’s a well-respected shooter and gifted passer.

“I just try to really model my game after [Golden State Warriors guard] Steph Curry. With his success, he didn’t come into the league playing the way he’s playing now,” said Russell, when he visited the Lakers for a pre-draft workout earlier in the month. “It took some time and the player that he’s developed to be, I see a great resemblance.”

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Through 35 games as a freshman with the Buckeyes, Russell averaged 19.3 points a game with 5.0 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals. He shot 44.9% from the field and 41.1% from three-point range.

The Lakers passed on taking Duke center Jahlil Okafor to select Russell. The Minnesota Timberwolves made Kentucky forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns the top overall pick.

Russell can share a backcourt with either veteran All-Star Kobe Bryant, or second-year guard Jordan Clarkson.

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The Lakers also have the 27th and 34th picks in Thursday’s draft.

Follow Eric Pincus on Twitter @EricPincus

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