HIGH SCHOOL: A three-year letterwinner at Centennial High School, where he helped lead the team to three consecutive winnings season as a centerfielder and shortstop ... a first-team all-state honoree (2011), a second-team all-state selection (2012), a two-time first-team all-area honoree (2011-12) and a second-team all-area selection (2010) ... team captain and most outstanding player for both his junior and senior seasons (2011-12) ... the home run area leader (2012) ... named to Area Codes and Jockey Club (2011) ... as a senior, posted a .358 batting average and .518 on base percentage with 29 hits, 12 home runs, 25 RBI, 39 runs, and seven stolen bases ... as a junior, posted a .429 batting average and .585 on base percentage with 36 hits, 10 home runs, 18 RBI and 38 runs ... as a sophomore, posted a .400 batting average and .504 on base percentage with 38 hits, seven home runs, 27 RBI, 48 runs and 14 stolen bases ... following his senior season, drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 36th Round of the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft.
PERSONAL: Born Dec. 7, 1993 in Bakersfield, Calif. ... parents are Mel and Tish Russell ... has one sister, Sydnee ... enjoys hunting and fishing ... a four-year high school honor roll student and the 2011 CHS' Most Outstanding Student ... favorite athlete is Josh Hamilton because he has overcome so much in his life while pursuing a professional baseball career ... biggest athletic thrill is putting in hard work and getting results ... most admires Bobby Maitia because he taught him everything he knows in the game of baseball and being a great support for him ... chose to attend Fresno State because the program gave him a "homey feeling" and seemed like somewhere he would love ... also recruited by California, Cal Poly, Cal State Bakersfield, Oregon, Pepperdine and USC ... majoring in kinesiology.
