Big Ten: Ranking Top 5 Best Guards In Conference

1. D’Angelo Russell, Ohio State

Stats: 18.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.8 steals, 47% FG, 45.8% 3-point

Russell is not only one of the top freshman in the Big Ten, but one of the best guards regardless of class. He’s currently the only person on this list and the only person in this conference that is top five in both points and assists, sitting in 3rd for points and 4th in assists.

Russel came into a Buckeye program that had lost a substantial amount of production from last year, but he has allowed Ohio State to hardly drop from last year as they sit with a 13-3 record and 2-1 early in the Big Ten. He’s eclipsed the 20-point mark six times this year, topped by his 32-point outing against Sacred Heart. His most recent game, a road win over Minnesota, might be his best performance as he finished with 27 points, 25 of them coming in the first half.

Russell may not have come into the program with this mindset, but it’d be hard to see him not leaving after this season for the Buckeyes. He has the size necessary to play guard in the NBA and can play either point guard or shooting guard roles as he can score and set up teammates. For now, we’ll enjoy watching him in the Big Ten.

Next: Nebraska Cornhuskers: Aussie recruit Jack McVeigh joins Class of 2015