Michigan State University Athletics
Richardson Declares Himself Eligible For NBA Draft
4/10/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
April 10, 2001
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EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State guard Jason Richardson (Saginaw, Mich./Arthur Hill HS) announced Tuesday his decision not to return for his junior season by making himself eligible for the 2001 NBA Draft. The NBA's deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft is May 13.
Richardson, a First-Team All-Big Ten selection and Second-Team Associated Press All-America honoree, led the 2000-01 Spartans with a 14.7 points per game scoring average. He also led the squad in three-point field-goal percentage (.402), field goals made (182), field goals attempted (362), steals (38) and blocks (28). He also finished third on the team in assists (73) and rebounding (5.9 rpg). The 6-6, 220-pound swingman also earned Second-Team All-America honors from the USBWA and was a Third-Team NABC All-America honoree, in addition to being a finalist for both the Wooden and Naismith Awards.
As a freshman on Michigan State's 1999-2000 NCAA Championship team, Richardson averaged 5.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in 15.7 minutes per game. This past summer, Richardson caught many people's attention by averaging 15.6 rebounds and 5.2 rebounds for the 2000 USA Young Men's World Championship Qualifying Team that captured a silver medal against international competition in Brazil. Richardson caused more of a stir as a member of the 2000 USA Men's Select Team that competed against the 2000 United States Olympic Dream Team in early September. Richardson led the collegiate all-stars in scoring (20), rebounding (5) and assists (4).
"I'm extremely proud and happy for Jason Richardson, yet there's some sadness," said MSU head coach Tom Izzo. "Jason now has an opportunity to fulfill his lifelong dream of playing in the NBA. This is a dream that we discussed during the recruiting process and his two years here at Michigan State.
"Jason has done a lot for our program in the last two years and hopefully we've helped him some too. Despite being here for just two seasons, Jason will always be a part of our program. What's encouraging about Jason is that he has a tremendous work ethic and is very self motivated. Those are the necessary ingredients for a player to be successful when he leaves the program."
