Tom Izzo gave a huge compliment to freshman Jase Richardson
Michigan State basketball has a huge legacy player joining the program this fall in former 4-star combo guard Jase Richardson. While Tom Izzo has been careful not to spend too much time comparing Jase to his father, MSU legend Jason Richardson, he did use that comparison to give Jase a huge compliment on Thursday.
Here is what he said:
‘He might even be ahead of where his dad was, which was pretty exciting considering how he ended up.’
He did note that Jase needs to get stronger and they are still figuring out his best position.
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Jase Richardson pulled out his pops jersey at MSU madness
Michigan State freshman Jase Richardson is the son of an MSU legend, who helped Tom Izzo get his first title in East Lansing, Jason Richardson.
The elder Richardson was known for his high flying talent, and Spartan fans are hoping that the younger Richardson can replicate some of the fireworks that his dad brought to the court.
While Coen Carr stole the show during the MSU madness dunk contest, there was a cool moment from Jase, who brought out his dad’s jersey for his turn in front of Spartan Nation.
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Meet MSU legacy Jase Richardson as he tells his story:
Michigan State basketball freshman have reported to campus, and the freshman are ready to make their mark on the storied program that Tom Izzo built in East Lansing.
Jase Richardson is a legacy, the son of Spartan legend Jason Richardson, and is looking to make his own stamp on MSU’s program.
With the Spartans basketball season looming, the social media team has put videos together to meet the freshman:
— Michigan State Men's Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) July 16, 2024
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Jase Richardson, the son of Spartan legend Jason Richardson, has made it official and has signed his National Letter of Intent to attend Michigan State. Richardson made his commitment official in October.
Richardson currently is playing high school ball at Columbus High School in Miami, Florida. He currently ranks as a 4-star prospect and the No. 33 overall player in the 2024 recruiting class according to the 247Sports composite rankings.
— Michigan State Men's Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) November 8, 2023
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Twitter/X reacts to the commitment of MSU 4-star legacy Jase Richardson:
Michigan State earned a huge commitment in the 2024 recruiting class when they picked up the pledge of Jase Richardson, a top-30 player in the class. Richardson is the son of Michigan State legend Jason Richardson.
Richardson joins Jesse McCulloch and Kur Teng in Michigan State’s 2024 recruiting class.
As expected, Twitter/X was very excited about Richardson’s commitment to MSU, and not just because he is a legacy recruit of a Spartan basketball legend, but Richardson is a very heralded prospect in his own right.
Check out how Michigan State Twitter reacted to the news of the commitment:
Jason Richardson is still creating insane highlight reels:
Jason Richardson was a star during his time at Michigan State. A high flier, and a high-energy player that thrived under Tom Izzo’s system, eventually leading to a national championship. Following his time in East Lansing, Richardson played 14 seasons in the NBA, showing off his high-flying ability there.
Now, Richardson is retired from playing in the NBA, but that doesn’t mean he still isn’t playing hoops. Richardson is now playing in the Big 3, 3-on-3 basketball league that features many former pro players.
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As we have seen recently with Davis Smith, it’s always great to see the sons of former Spartans come to their fathers’ alma mater and learn from Tom Izzo at Michigan State. It looks like that could happen again soon as MSU basketball offered Jason ‘Jase’ Richardson Jr. on Sunday.
This is the team’s first offer for the 2024 class.
Richardson Jr. currently plays for Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas where he is a 6’2″ shooting guard.
Blessed to receive an offer from Michigan State University. Thanks to Coach Izzo and the MSU coaching staff for believing in the player I’m working to become! @VerbalCommitspic.twitter.com/wI8D1sp3i6
Former Michigan State star Jason Richardson had a long NBA career after his time in East Lansing. Richardson averaged 17.1 points and 5 rebounds over 14 seasons.
The 40-year-old has since retired from the NBA, but that hasn’t stopped him from competing on the hardwood. Richardson is playing in the BIG3 3-on-3 basketball league.
A member of Tri State who plays alongside Nate Robinson, Jason Richardson is showing flashes from the past, making highlight plays above the rim.
The former Saginaw and Spartan star, and two-time NBA slam dunk contest champion, showed he still has some bounce in his game:
In the 2001 NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors added Michigan State’s Jason Richardson and Notre Dame’s Troy Murphy in the first round.
With the Warriors not participating in the league’s Orlando return, the next important date on Golden State’s calendar will come on draft day. For the first time since 2002, the Warriors will be on the clock in the top five.
Before October’s draft rolls around, Warriors Wire is rewinding through Golden State’s draft history to highlight the most memorable selections — trades, surprises, busts, sleepers and everything in between.
Long before the Warriors added Draymond Green in the second round of the 2012 draft, Golden State found success with another Michigan State product in 2001.
July 27, 2001
The Washington Wizards started the 2001 draft selecting Kwame Brown out of Glynn Academy in Georgia. Fast forward four picks, and the Golden State Warriors were on the clock.
With the No. 5 overall selection in the draft, Golden State general manager Gary St. Jean selected Jason Richardson out of Michigan State. Later in the draft, the Warriors added Notre Dame’s Troy Murphy and Arizona’s Gilbert Arenas.
As a sophomore in Tom Izzo’s program, Richardson was named a second-team All American, averaging 14.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals per contest. Alongside fellow first-rounder Zach Randolph, the duo helped lead the Spartans to the 2001 NCAA Tournament Final Four.
Watch highlights from Richardson’s run in East Lansing via YouTube:
As a rookie, Richardson started 75 games averaging 14.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Richardson’s impressive debut campaign earned him a nod to the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team.
The Michigan State product showed off at the 2002 All-Star Weekend in Philadelphia, earning Most Valuable Player of the Rising Stars Challenge and winning the Slam Dunk Contest.
Watch highlights from Richardson’s Slam Dunk Championship via YouTube:
Outside of the Golden State trio and Randolph, other notable selections from the 2001 draft class included Tyson Chandler, Spain’s Paul Gasol, Duke’s Shane Battier, Arkansas’ Joe Johnson, Arizona’s Richard Jefferson and France’s Tony Parker.
Gilbert Arenas was a smooth and effective scorer during his NBA career.
Before Gilbert Arenas became a star with the Washington Wizards, he was an up-and-coming player hooping in the Bay.
Arenas was drafted No. 31 overall by the Golden State Warriors in the second round of the 2001 NBA Draft, and he played his first two seasons with the franchise. A guard out of Arizona, Arenas displayed his penchant for scoring in college. In two seasons with the Wildcats, he averaged 15.8 points per game on 46.6% shooting.
The first two seasons of Arenas’ career were filled with promise. During the 2001-02 campaign, his rookie season, Arenas ranked fourth among rookies in points per game (10.9), with his teammate Jason Richardson ahead of him at third.
With his passing ability, Arenas ranked third among rookies in assists per game (3.7), with only Jamaal Tinsley and Tony Parker ahead of him.
The following season, Arenas continued to build his reputation around the league. During his sophomore campaign, Arenas was second on the Warriors in scoring behind Antawn Jamison.
He was second among sophomores in points per game (18.3), right behind Pau Gasol. Arenas won the Most Improved Player award in 2003, and he was second among second-year players in assists per game (6.3), only behind Tinsley.
Arenas had one of the best performances of his career during March 2003, when he dropped 41 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished five assists in a win against the Wizards.
Throughout most of his career, Arenas could drive through the lane and finish at the rim. But he could also size up an opponent, create space with his dribble and pull up for a smooth jumper.
His moves were made with purpose, and once he created the space he needed, he usually scored. Arenas’ scoring peaked with the Wizards, and he earned all three of his All-Star appearances with the franchise.
He signed with the Wizards in the summer of 2003, as the Warriors couldn’t match the offer sheet Washington gave him. Arenas was a restricted free agent early in his career because he wasn’t on a rookie scale contract; only first-round picks qualify for those.
Because of this, the NBA made a provision that limits the amount of money teams can offer restricted free agents who only have one or two years of experience, per Hoops Rumors. With the provision, teams cannot offer a first-year salary higher than the non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
Arenas’ career with the Wizards was stellar. He had his best overall season during the 2005-06 campaign, when he scored a career-high 29.3 points per game and dished 6.1 assists a game. That season, he ranked fourth in the league for scoring, with the late Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson and LeBron James ahead of him.
Knee injuries and the gun incident with Javaris Crittenton unfortunately shortened Arenas’ career, but his standing in the Wizards’ record books remains high.
Per Basketball Reference, Arenas ranks 10th all-time in points on the franchise’s all-time leading scorers list. He ranks seventh on the list in assists.
