Fatts Russell keeps slaying Goliaths on his EuroCup rise

By Nikola Miloradovic / info@eurohoops.net

Two seasons ago, T.J. Shorts took home the EuroCup MVP award. A year later, Jared Harper of Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem claimed the honor. Who will emerge this season? So far, one name standing among the chief candidates through sheer dominance is Daron Fatts Russell.

Russell enters his team’s Round 10 game against Bahcesehir College Istanbul atop the EuroCup scoring charts with an average of 22 points per game. He’s also tied for second in PIR (21.6) and assists (6.7 apg.) and stands alone in three-pointers made (3.1).

What connects Shorts, Harper, and Russell beyond EuroCup dominance? They are all undersized guards, standing 1.80 meters or less, who consistently defy expectations, face adversity head-on, and go deep into their bag of tricks night after night.

Nicknamed “Fatts” by his mother for being a chubby baby, Russell is turning heads across Europe. In just his second EuroCup appearance, he scored 37 points against Neptunas. In the next game against Slask Wroclaw, he flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 21 points, 15 assists, and 8 rebounds. By the midpoint of the regular season, he was the EuroCup’s scoring leader, making his mark with extraordinary performances.

For those who know his journey, Russell’s success is no surprise. The 27-year-old from Philadelphia set records at Imhotep Institute Charter High School, becoming the all-time leader in points, assists, and steals, while leading his senior team to a 31-2 record and a state championship with 25 points in the title game.

He then spent four years at Rhode Island, where he became a Rams cult hero — famously clashing with Trae Young in an NCAA tournament overtime thriller, making several clutch plays, including a steal followed by a three-pointer over the future NBA All-Star.

After his final college year at Maryland and going undrafted in 2022, Russell crossed the Atlantic to Montenegro and joined Mornar Bar. There, he made an immediate impact — including a record-setting 47-point game in the ABA League — and averaged 26.8 points and 7.3 assists in 15 appearances, catching the eyes of clubs all across the globe.

In 2023, he moved to Galatasaray, then made key contributions at Manisa and Karsiyaka, before a short stint in Taiwan. Finally, he joined Cluj, returning to the ABA League and beginning his mesmerizing EuroCup chapter.

Russell continues the path paved by Shorts and Harper, slaying Goliaths and proving that relentless skill, determination, and heart can overcome any obstacle. For Fatts, the sky is the limit.