Richardson’s agency, CAA Sports, posted a photo of its draft class on its Instagram account Thursday with Richardson included. Richardson reposted it to his account.<\/p>\n
In his original declaration, Richardson wrote with a tone of finality regarding his decision. The past month and a half of the NBA Draft process didn’t change his mind. He ends his Michigan State career having joined last season’s roster as a freshman coming off the bench, developing into the Spartans’ best player by the end of the season en route to third-team, All-Big Ten honors and a selection to the Big Ten All-Freshman team. Michigan State finished the season 30-7 in the Elite Eight, having won the Big Ten championship.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an exciting step in my journey, and I\u2019m looking forward to see what GOD has planned for me,\u201d Richardson wrote in his draft declaration<\/a> April 8. \u201cI\u2019m forever grateful to the Spartan community for all their support throughout the season and honored to be a Spartan Dawg.\u201d<\/p>\n Various mock drafts project Richardson to go somewhere in the first round<\/a>, ranging from as high as the 10th pick to as low as the 20s. Richardson\u2019s scoring ability and efficiency are central to his game. He’s a three-level scorer who can draw a lot of fouls with contact, averaging 12.1 points and 1.9 assists per game across the entire season. He shot 49.3% from the field, 41.2% on 3-pointers and 83.6% on free throws, strong percentages. In 15 games as a starter, he averaged 16.1 points and 1.7 assists per game. At the NBA Combine, a low height measurement at 6-foot-0\u00bd showed an area NBA teams may see as a concern, though the 19-year-old has time to grow.<\/p>\n Wherever he goes in the draft \u2014 held June 25 at Barclays Center in New York City \u2014 Richardson would be Michigan State’s first player picked in the draft since Max Christie went No. 35 overall to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022. He’s the first one-and-done since Christie as well.<\/p>\n Twenty-three Michigan State players have been drafted into the NBA in Tom Izzo’s career as head coach, including the likes of Draymond Green, Jaren Jackson Jr., Zach Randolph and Gary Harris. Richardson’s father, Jason, was a member of the 2000 Michigan State national championship team and went on to a 13-year NBA career after being selected by the Golden State Warriors fifth overall in 2001.<\/p>\n cearegood@detroitnews.com<\/p>\n @ConnorEaregood<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/tdn-65x65.png\")
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