D'Angelo Russell named 1st team All-Big Ten, freshman of the year

The Ohio State basketball team might not have lived up to the expectations of some of their fans, but one player has unquestionably been the real deal this season, freshman guard D'Angelo Russell. After an absolutely fantastic freshman season, Russell was named not only to the All-Big Ten team by the league's coaches and media, but also the conference's freshman of the year.

It's not hard to see why. Russell poured in 19.2 points per game, 5.2 assists per game, and a team leading 5.6 rebounds per game, which is impressive for a 6-5 guard. Russell was also active on defense, averaging 1.6 steals.

Russell hit double figures in points in every single game this season but one, against Marquette in the second game of the season, and dropped 30 on multiple occasions this season. He also recorded a rare college triple double in a win at Rutgers.

D'Angelo Russell was joined on the All-Big Ten media first team by Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky (also the league's player of the year), Iowa's Aaron White, Indiana's Yogi Ferrell, and Maryland's Melo Trimble. The coaches' team was the same except with Trimble replaced by teammate Dez Wells. Trimble was Russell's only real competition for the individual honor.

Russell is widely expected to leave Ohio State after this season, as he's projected to be a Top 5 pick in the NBA Draft.

Congrats on an absolutely outstanding year, and some well deserved recognition.