Rick Pitino compares D’Angelo Russell to Magic Johnson

The NBA Draft is on Thursday. And while it’s anyone’s guess at this point who will end up where, one thing is for sure. D’Angelo Russell won’t have to wait long to hear his name called.

Russell was Big Ten Freshman of the Year this past season and a First Team All-American after averaging 19 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5 assists for Ohio State. He was also a regular on highlight reels thanks to his passing ability.

It’s his knack for picking out teammates with pinpoint passes that has NBA scouts drooling and many thinking he is a star in the making. Among those singing the praises of Russell is Rick Pitino. The Louisville head coach said Russell is the best passer he’s seen come along outside of Magic Johnson.

“Anytime you have that type of passing skills and that offensive mind for the game I think you’re going to be something special,” Pitino went on to say in the interview with ESPN’s Hannah Storm.

That’s certainly high praise, but Rick Pitino has seen more than his fair share of basketball over the years, both professionally and collegiate. While there have been plenty of great distributors since Magic Johnson, passes like this can’t help but make you think of the Lakers great and Hall of Famer.