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2016 Player Capsule: D'Angelo Russell

By the Numbers
1.6: Three-pointers per game by D'Angelo Russell, who led all rookies.
23.3: Points averaged by Russell during an eight-game stretch from late February through early March.
39: Points scored by Russell against Brooklyn on March 1, which were the most by a rookie Laker since Elgin Baylor in 1959.

Season Summary
It was a year of growth for the 2015 draft's second-overall pick, as he was quickly relegated to the bench for 32 games before returning to the starting lineup and averaging 15.1 points after playing at the All-Star Rising Stars Challenge. Heralded for his passing, Russell did more with his shot this season, becoming the youngest player to ever hit 130 3-pointers in a season, while leading his team in 3-point percentage (35.1). On the other end, the 20-year-old led all rookies, and the Lakers, with 1.2 steals per game. During Mitch Kupchak's exit interview, the Lakers General Manager said that one of the team's big decisions this offseason is to decide whether to develop Russell as more of a scorer or passer.

In His Own Words
"I definitely want to stay in the weight room as much as possible. Guys are strong in this league, especially at my position. You've got guys that are smaller but stronger, faster. So I'm trying to improve that and stay in the post; trying to develop a better post game, using it to my advantage as a bigger guard."

Shot Chart