D'Angelo Russell looking to follow Kobe Bryant mentality

Los Angeles Lakers point guard D'Angelo Russell has said that he can relate to Kobe Bryant's on-the-court mentality.

The 19-year-old was selected with the second overall pick in the 2015 Draft by the Lakers, and Russell has admitted that he has looked to the example of the 17-time NBA All-Star to forge his career in the league.

He told reporters: "I always preach, I didn't get here from being the most athletic guy, the fastest guy, the tallest guy, or the strongest, I got here from my mind.

"That's something when I watch Kobe interviews or listen to Kobe talk, he's mentally on another level, when I listen to him, I relate to that."

Russell averaged 19.3 points per game for the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2014-15 season.