Fatts Russell

Daron "Fatts" Russell (born May 6, 1998) is an American college basketball player for the Rhode Island Rams of the Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10).

Fatts Russell
Russell in February 2020
No. 1 – Rhode Island Rams
PositionPoint guard
LeagueAtlantic 10 Conference
Personal information
Born (1998-05-06) May 6, 1998
NationalityAmerican
Listed height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Listed weight165 lb (75 kg)
Career information
High schoolImhotep Charter
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
CollegeRhode Island (2017–present)
Career highlights and awards
  • First-team All-Atlantic 10 (2020)
  • All-Atlantic 10 Defensive Team (2020)

Early life and high school career

Russell grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and looked up to basketball player Kobe Bryant, who was born in the same city.[1][2] His mother gave him the nickname "Fatts," which he has been called his entire life, because he was chubby as a baby.[3] Russell played for Imhotep Institute Charter High School in Philadelphia, where he was coached by Andre Noble.[1] Russell became its all-time leader in points, assists and steals.[4] As a senior, he led his team, which was considered one of the best in the country, to a 31–2 record and the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) 4A state championship, scoring 25 points in the title game.[5] Russell was named Philadelphia Public League and Pennsylvania Class 4A most valuable player (MVP).[6] He was a consensus three-star recruit and committed to play collegiately for Rhode Island over offers from Seton Hall, SMU and Western Kentucky, among others.[7]

College career

On December 4, 2017, Russell was named Atlantic 10 freshman of the week after scoring 20 points in wins over Brown and Providence.[8] As a freshman, Russell averaged 7.0 points per game.[9] In the NCAA Tournament, he scored 15 points including two clinching free throws with 11 seconds remaining and had five assists and two steals in a 83–78 overtime win against Oklahoma.[10] Russell scored a career-high 41 points on March 5, 2019, in a 86–85 overtime win against St. Joseph's.[11] It was the highest scoring effort by a Rhode Island player in a road game. Russell finished his sophomore season averaging 14.2 points and 3.7 assists per game.[12]

On January 15, 2020, Russell scored 25 points against St. Joseph's and surpassed the 1,000 point threshold.[1] He scored 30 points on January 30, in a 87–75 win over VCU.[13] On February 13, Russell was named to the midseason watch list for the Naismith Trophy.[14] At the close of the regular season, Russell was named to the First Team All-Atlantic 10 and the Defensive Team.[15] He was named the U.S. Basketball Writer’s Association District I Player of the Year and was selected to the National Association of Basketball Coaches 2019-20 Division I All-District 4 First Team. Russell averaged 18.8 points and 2.9 steals per game, second in Division I. Following the season, he declared for the 2020 NBA draft but intended to keep his college eligibility.[16]

Career statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017–18 Rhode Island 34017.9.352.298.8101.61.6.8.07.0
2018–19 Rhode Island 323234.1.338.223.7372.73.71.8.314.2
2019–20 Rhode Island 302935.7.388.357.8243.44.62.9.218.8
Career 966128.8.361.291.7862.63.21.8.213.1

Personal life

Russell's older brother, DeWayne, played college basketball for Grand Canyon before playing professionally overseas.[17]

References
  1. Jensen, Mike (January 16, 2020). "Fatts Russell makes it a special night on Hawk Hill -- for Rhode Island". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  2. Koch, Bill (January 28, 2020). "Bryant's death felt especially in Philadelphia". The Providence Journal. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  3. Chavez, Chris (March 15, 2018). "How Rhode Island Star Daron 'Fatts' Russell Got His Nickname As A Baby". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  4. Tynes, Tyler (March 15, 2018). "Meet 'Fatts' Russell, March Madness' first cult hero". SB Nation. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  5. Gallen, Daniel (April 19, 2017). "Imhotep Charter star Daron Russell finishes his high school career as a 'winner'". The Patriot-News. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  6. Hunt, Donald (March 22, 2016). "Imhotep Charter's Daron Russell selected as Public League MVP". Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  7. "Rhode Island basketball has landed their first recruit in the class of 2017". Fox Sports. June 30, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  8. "Watanabe, Tillman Share A-10 Player of the Week Honors". Atlantic 10 Conference. December 4, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  9. "Grasso Era begins Tuesday when Bryant faces URI". Bryant Bulldogs. November 5, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  10. Jones, David (March 15, 2018). "Tiny freshman Fatts Russell plays big as Rhode Island outlasts Trae Young and Oklahoma in NCAA tournament". The Patriot-News. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  11. Juliano, Joe (March 5, 2019). "Imhotep's Fatts Russell scores 41 points to lift Rhode Island over St. Joseph's in overtime". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  12. Koch, Bill (October 24, 2019). "URI selected fourth at Atlantic 10 Media Day; Cyril Langevine, Jeff Dowtin, Fatts Russell earn individual honors". Providence Journal. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  13. "Russell scores 30 as Rhode Island extends win streak to 8". ESPN. Associated Press. January 31, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  14. Koch, Bill (February 13, 2020). "URI guard Fatts Russell among nominees for Naismith Trophy". The Providence Journal. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  15. "Toppin Named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, Grant Voted Coach of the Year". March 10, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  16. Coit, Nick (March 27, 2020). "URI Guard Fatts Russell Enters Name Into 2020 NBA Draft". ABC6. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  17. Geoghegan, William (December 21, 2017). "'We just let him be Fatts'". South County Independent. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
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