Oregon Ducks guard Will Richardson waited until the final day to make a decision, but according to multiple sources – including Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports – he is planning to run it back for one final season in Eugene with the Oregon Ducks.
Richardson explored potentially leaving for the NBA after the 20-21 season, but ultimately came back for his senior season, where he averaged a career high 14.1 points, along with 3.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.
Richardson finished the year shooting 38.8% from beyond the arc, but he went through a handful of alarming dry spells as a scorer, which ultimately hurt the Ducks in the non-conference slate and again in the Pac-12 Tournament.
Source: Oregon's Will Richardson is returning to school next season and will withdraw from the 2022 NBA Draft.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) June 1, 2022
Despite the successful season, Richardson wasn’t showing up on many NBA mock drafts. A few places ranked him as a top-100 prospect – but not one who was likely going to be among the 58 players selected when the draft takes place in late June, especially when he failed to receive an invite to the NBA draft combine last week.
Richardson is taking advantage of the rule granting student-athletes an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and he will join a crowded Oregon backcourt that features a trio of newcomers in freshman Dior Johnson and transfers Jermaine Couisnard and Keeshawn Barthelemy, as well as fellow returner Quincy Guerrier.
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