Sean Merriman, BTN.com web editor, March 19, 2015
Ohio State freshman D'Angelo Russell is one of the most exciting players in college basketball.
The Buckeyes' fantastic freshman put on a show again on Thursday, this time on the biggest stage of his young, college basketball career.
Russell scored a game-high 28 points in the Buckeyes' 75-72 win over VCU, which puts him No. 1 on Ohio State's all-time freshman scoring list. It also marked the third highest point total by a Big Ten freshman in NCAA Tournament history.
But as good as Russell's scoring numbers were on Thursday, it was a play with just over a minute remaining in overtime that had the social media world buzzing.
Russell took the ball at the top of the key, dribbled the ball behind his back to the left, then crossed his defender over and went behind his back to the right, which caused the VCU defender to fall to his feet.
Check it out here.
Here?s top-five prospect D?Angelo Russell showing why we can?t wait to see him in the pros. http://t.co/KBFeVApVn7 https://t.co/0NbDTk2SvI
— SB Nation NBA (Click the pic to read ?) (@SBNationNBA) March 20, 2015
Earlier in the game, Russell caught an elbow from a VCU defender, which gave him a cut above his eye and caused him to come out of the game to get it taped up.
That also had the internet buzzing. Here's a photo of the cut, compliments of @ForTheWin.
Ohio State's D'Angelo Russell takes nasty elbow to the face against VCU http://t.co/t61hFEOafp pic.twitter.com/jQW59IWIZw
— For The Win (@ForTheWin) March 19, 2015
What a talent, and what a tough kid.