Michigan State’s Jase Richardson, a projected lottery pick, is entering the 2025 NBA Draft, he told ESPN’s Jonathan Givony Tuesday.
Richardson started 15 games for the Spartans this season, averaging 12.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists on 49.3% shooting and 41.2% behind the arc in the Spartans’ Big Ten winning season.
Michigan State Projected Lottery Pick Jase Richardson Declares for NBA Draft
Richardson currently sits as the No. 13 prospect in ESPN’s draft projections after being named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and third-team all-conference. The Spartans only lost one regular season game once Richardson entered the starting lineup on Feb. 8, and went 12-3 overall.
NEWS: Michigan State’s Jase Richardson, a projected lottery pick, will enter the NBA draft, he told ESPN.
Richardson helped the Spartans win the Big Ten Championship and make the Elite Eight for the first time since 2019.
STORY: https://t.co/K7KDhCWUsY pic.twitter.com/lgT1ndmSsp
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 8, 2025
“I’m incredibly grateful to my teammates and coaches for the season we had,” Richardson told ESPN. “After evaluating everything with my family, this was the best decision for me. We had so many incredible moments as a team.
“Even though we didn’t go as far as I had hoped in the NCAA tournament, this is exactly how I wanted my freshman year to go. Winning the Big Ten championship and making the Elite Eight for the first time since 2019.”
With only 30 turnovers in 912 minutes of play, Richardson’s mistake-free and high-pace style of basketball has long-term appeal to NBA teams. It also appealed to head coach Tom Izzo.
“Coach Izzo taught me how to think the game through countless hours of film and conversations on and off the court,” Richardson said, “He actually coached me harder as the season moved on, pushing me more as he was putting more responsibility on my plate.”
Richardson’s father, Jason, was an All-American and national champion at Michigan State. He was the No. 5 pick in the 2001 NBA Draft and had a 13-year NBA career that included two NBA Slam Dunk Contest Championships.
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“My dad had the blueprint laid out for me for how I was going to get to my goals,” Richardson said. “It’s really special to have someone like him next to me that has been through the process. I am always asking him for feedback and advice. We’re totally different players, so I don’t feel any pressure if people expect me to do what he did.
“I need to go out and show myself on my own.”
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