Coach Tom Izzo’s 24th draft pick, Richardson, is the latest Spartan to be drafted to the NBA. Richardson joins Max Christie, Xavier Tillman, Miles Bridges, Jaren Jackson Jr., among others from recent memory. 

At 19, Richardson is the youngest to be drafted from MSU since Christie in 2022.

The selection came with little surprise, as Richardson had consistently been projected to go in the mid-to-late first round.

Every year, the NBA invites draft hopefuls to the draft green room, a sign that a player will likely be drafted in the first round. Richardson was not among the 24 players invited to the draft green room and did not make an appearance in person at the event.

Richardson’s father, Jason, played two seasons for the Magic from 2010-2012, averaging 12.7 points in the span. His father was also a first round draft pick for the 2005 NBA draft.

Coaches and executives from the NBA and NCAA had mixed reviews of the Spartan playmaker. In David Aldridge’s draft confidential for The Athletic, one anonymous NBA executive said he was intrigued by Richardson’s shot creation and defensive play.

“They claim he played point guard a lot in high school," the executive said. "Because if he can mimic the one like Jalen Brunson, he played point and he had some leadership skills. But he was more of a scoring guard than a point guard. I think it just depends where he ends up. He can shoot, and I like the pedigree. I wouldn’t be surprised either way.”

One college assistant coach who faced MSU this year felt differently about Richardson, partially due to his six-foot stature.

“I don’t think he’s quite ready. It’s one of those cases where he had too good of a year to go back. Strike while the iron’s hot. But he’s not ready for the NBA.”

In an interview with Forbes’ Mat Issa, Richardson said it was never his plan to leave after one year, but Izzo encouraged him to head to the NBA.

“I didn’t come to Michigan State with the idea of being a one-and-done player. At first, I was just grateful to be playing as a freshman under Izzo…I had to talk with Coach, and he kind of just agreed. He was like, 'Yeah, I can’t see you staying here one more year. You need to go.’ So, I think that was really like the main thing that told me, 'Yeah, I think I’m ready to do this.'”