Ninth in Rookie of the Year voting. All-Rookie second team.
For many players, these accolades would be honors, but for D'Angelo Russell, they are short of expectations that many had for the second overall pick heading into the season. Russell still did enough to be invited to join Team USA's select team in July, but he isn't resting on his laurels.
Russell is working out in Ohio right now, and the sophomore guard sent out a tweet showing that he is still working out at a time when most of the country has gone to bed:
— D'Angelo Russell (@Dloading) May 20, 2016
His backcourt mate Jordan Clarkson appeared impressed with Russell's work ethic:
let em sleep broo https://t.co/XNtzL4tZIu
— Jordan Clarkson (@JClark5on) May 20, 2016
Much like when Russell posted a video of himself working out directly following the Rookie of the Year results being made public, it's hard not to see this tweet as a direct response to his spot on the All-Rookie second team being revealed today.
Maybe that is reading too much into things, but whatever Russell's motivation is, he is taking the right approach to the offseason as the Lakers look to improve next year.
You can follow this author on Twitter at @hmfaigen.