Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports thinks Jase Richardson will be the next Michigan State lottery pick.
O’Connor released his “NBA Mock Draft 3.0” on Friday, and Richardson landed just inside the lottery. He has Richardson going No. 13 overall to the Atlanta Hawks.
Here’s what O’Connor had to say about Richardson in his latest mock:
“Richardson has been connected to the Hawks throughout the pre-draft process, in addition to other teams drafting in the late lottery. This is despite measuring at only 6-feet at the NBA Draft Combine. Richardson is a skilled combo guard with a lethal midrange game and a poised pick-and-roll feel, looking like he downloaded the experience of his NBA veteran father, Jason Richardson. Jase didn’t inherit his father’s height or dunk contest athleticism, though, so his smaller stature caps his upside. But does that matter? Look at the way the Pacers and Thunder play, with tons of players who can fly around the floor and make quick decisions. That’s Richardson’s exact style.”
Richardson’s draft stock has fluctuated recently but he has always remained a first round projection across the many different NBA mock drafts I’ve came across. This latest mock from O’Connor is on the higher end of what I’ve seen, with FOX Sports having him going No. 16 overall to Orlando Magic in another mock draft released in the past few days.
Richardson officially closed the door on a potential return to Michigan State for next season this week when he didn’t withdraw from the NBA Draft before the deadline to do so. He starred for the Spartans in his lone season at Michigan State, averaging 12.1 points per game and playing a huge role in the Spartans winning the Big Ten title and reaching the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament.
The NBA Draft will be held on June 25-26, with the first round on the first day and the second round on the second day. The NBA Draft will be televised on ABC and ESPN.
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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: MSU star Jase Richardson goes in lottery in latest Yahoo Sports NBA Mock Draft
Reporting by Robert Bondy, Spartans Wire / Spartans Wire
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