CHICAGO — All signs are pointing to Syracuse freshman Malachi Richardson remaining in the NBA Draft and ending his college career.
Richardson is looking for a “a guaranteed first round, early first round spot,” he told Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report.
The Trenton, N.J., native who measured at 6-foot-6 1/4 with shoes here is currently projected at No. 53 by DraftExpress.com.
Richardson, 20, said that during the interviews with teams like the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers, he was looking for a guarantee of being drafted.
“If it was yes, then I would definitely come out,” he said Thursday at the NBA Draft Combine. “But it’s never going to be that answer so you never know.”
He has not signed with an agent and could still return to campus, but that doesn’t seem likely.
“I could be in the first round, I could be in the second round, I could even go undrafted, so anything could happen,” he said.
“I just wanted to make sure I made the best decision [by testing the waters]. I didn’t want to jump the gun with just coming out and signing with an agent. And I didn’t want to just stay in school because I didn’t weigh my options.
“I’m just making sure I’m mentally and physically ready to go to the next level and just making sure I would get drafted.”
Asked if he thought Richardson would leave, former Syracuse guard Michael Gbinije said, “‘I can’t speak for him but he’s here for a reason.”
Richardson didn’t play 5-on-5 here, but said just being invited to the Combine bolsters his confidence.
One NBA executive told SNY.tv that Richardson interviewed very well and came across as very confident.
“This definitely helps out a lot, knowing that I was able to get invited here,” Richardson said. “This whole process wouldn’t be possible if this wasn’t here.”
Of the Sixers, which are close to his home in Trenton, he said: “I would love playing in Philly, [it’s] close to home. Playing with some great bigs.”
Syracuse associate head coach Mike Hopkins believes the way the NBA is trending now with the Golden State Warriors emphasizing spacing and shooting, Richardson fits that mold perfectly.
“He has a high IQ, he can shoot,” Hopkins said. “Malachi has a 7-foot wingspan. He’s got all the features of what that league is looking for. Perfect body, perfect length, he has all those features. Size, length, skill.”
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