Lakers: D’Angelo Russell Stars in First Gatorade Commercial with JJ Watt, Others (Video)

Lakers star rookie D’Angelo Russell stars alongside some big names in his first Gatorade commercial

As the Los Angeles Lakers have been making their surprise run down the stretch of the regular season, showing a lot of promise even if they’re eliminated from playoff contention, the biggest catalyst for the team has been rookie point guard D’Angelo Russell who has been tearing it up since rejoining the starting lineup.

Given that Russell had a lot of fanfare coming into the 2015 NBA Draft and then went to arguably the biggest market in the NBA when the Lakers took him with the No. 2-overall pick, it was inevitable that the former Ohio State guard would pick up some endorsement deals. However, fans hadn’t yet seen Russell in any commercials or ads promoting any of the products he endorses—until now.

Earlier this week, Gatorade dropped their new commercial featuring a slew of big-name athletes, including Russell in his first commercial for the “Sports Fuel Company:”

That Gatorade would put Russell in the same commercial as JJ Watt, Bryce Harper, Elena Delle Donne, and Usain Bolt speaks volumes about just how rapidly the rookie’s star is rising as he continues to get his footing in the NBA.

Perhaps the coolest part of Russell’s first Gatorade commercial though—be it intentional or not—is how the commercial seems to play off of his D-Loading moniker as the Lakers guard is actually downloading for half of the commercial as Gatorade works the angle of the athletes being part of their lab.

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There are obviously going to be plenty more commercials such as this in years to come for the 20-year-old Lakers rookie. However, it’s pretty great to see him getting deserved shine alongside some of the best athletes in their respective sports.