The only things missing from D’Angelo Russell’s farewell news conference on Thursday were balloons, streamers and a pep band.
The freshman All-American grinned his way through most of his 30-minute goodbye, as did his father, Antonio, and Ohio State coach Thad Matta.
Matta’s smiles were sincere. Even though he recruited Russell as a two-year player, he identified him easily as a one-and-done candidate.
“It was probably the preseason scrimmage game against West Virginia when he scored 33 points and hit the game-winner,” Matta said, laughing. “Once he got rolling, I said, ‘He’s probably going to be out of here,’ and the other coaches said, ‘No, Antonio said two years … two years.