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D’Angelo Russell would love to join 76ers

CHICAGO – D'Angelo Russell would love to get drafted by the 76ers.

The Ohio State combo guard sees it as an opportunity to play with friend Nerlens Noel, and to make an immediate impact on a franchise.

Russell, who applied for June's NBA draft after his freshman season, will meet with the Sixers on Thursday at the NBA Combine in Chicago. He interviewed with the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.

The thought around the league is that the Sixers want to select the all-American with their first pick. Russell wants to play point guard in the NBA and is expected to be among the top four players chosen, along with Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor and Emmanuel Mudiay. The Sixers desperately need a point guard after trading Michael Carter-Williams to the Milwaukee Bucks in February.

The Sixers are guaranteed a top-six pick after finishing with the league's third-worst record (18-64). They have a 15.6 percent chance to get the top overall pick.

A league scout, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Russell has the best chance to become an NBA All-Star of the four projected top picks. However, the scout added that Towns, a versatile post player from Kentucky, will most likely go first overall in the draft.

"But if they get D'Angelo and [Joel] Embiid is healthy along with Nerlens, you don't need Karl," the scout said. "Plus, D'Angelo has the highest upside."

Russell averaged 19.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists and shot 41.1 percent on three-pointers for Ohio State this past season.

He measured out at 6-foot-5 with his sneakers on and 6-3 ¼ without on Wednesday.  He also weighed in at 193.4 pounds and has a 6-9 3/4 wingspan.

Former Academy of New Church and Syracuse standout Rakeem Christmas had the longest wingspan (7-5 1/4).

Christmas has a workout scheduled with the Sixers after the combine.

Click here for the link to Wednesday's measurements.

Follow and contact Inquirer 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter @PompeyOnSixers and on Instagram at PompeyOnSIxers