Ever since D'Angelo Russell was drafted second overall by the Los Angeles Lakers, fans have been clamoring for photos of the the rookie in his purple and gold jersey, with photoshops of what the rookie would look like in his new threads flying left and right.
The wait is over. Training camp and the preseason are still over a month away, but Russell is taking part in the NBA's rookie photoshoot today, which means he got to suit up in his real Lakers' jersey instead of the relatively generic Las Vegas Summer League version:
Here is Russell as part of the official group shot of all the rooks, including Lakers' second round pick Anthony Brown just behind Russell:
The 2015 #NBARooks Class at today's @PaniniAmerica NBA Rookie Photo Shoot Day! pic.twitter.com/E4weze1vzC
— NBA (@NBA) August 8, 2015
Via Russell's Instagram, video of him playing around with his new teammate Brown:
And the two also ate some lunch together during a break in the action:
Lunchtime at the @PaniniAmerica #NBARooks shoot! pic.twitter.com/TWmNbftJd5
— NBA (@NBA) August 8, 2015
Russell working on his action poses for future cards and posters:
And getting up close and personal with Philadelphia 76ers' rookie center Jahlil Okafor:
When Top-3 @NBADraft picks collide... #NBARooks @Dloading @JahlilOkafor @Lakers @Sixers pic.twitter.com/D2YzDNlsMF
— NBA (@NBA) August 8, 2015
First in Summer League and now at the photoshoot, it looks like Russell may just have a knack for VERY long range shots:
And backwards from half court too because why not?
And another look at Russell with his official signature:
Turning hoop dreams to reality with @DLoading of the @Lakers! #NBARooks pic.twitter.com/OVm8BzKfxk
— NBA (@NBA) August 8, 2015
It's certainly nice to see the rookie in his jersey, but it is also a tease for how far we still have to go before the real games begin. Training camp (and the end of the NBA offseason) cannot get here soon enough.