Nick Richards

[Crankdatmustard]

Measured out at the Nike Hoops Summit at 7'0 240 with a 7'4 wing span (same as Anthony Davis).

Sucks we didn't get Bamba but let's not act like we won't have an elite rim protector next season.

 

[caneintally]

THANK YOU. People forget that Richards is stud . Hell he is Bamba's equal or better except in terms of shot blocking as Bamba has no equal at that.

 

[tHeFeVeR_23]

If he checks out to be that elite rim protector, then we are fine and I will be ecstatic!!

 

[DanDrungus]

You know Richards will get 3 fouls called on him in 10 minutes in the NCAAT but hopefully the team can make it work in spite of that.

 

[dckala2]

Will Richards be on the u19 team?

 

[caneintally]

You know Richards will get 3 fouls called on him in 10 minutes in the NCAAT but hopefully the team can make it work in spite of that.

So would of Bamba , so will PJ ect. Good thing we are deep in the front court.

 

[RickyAllen19]

If he can avg 7p 9r 2b , we will be fine.

 

[DanDrungus]

So would of Bamba , so will PJ ect. Good thing we are deep in the front court.

That's what I meant. The more the merrier. Having two elite rim protectors (or three or as many as possible) would have been the big thing. I agree that the team will get by, not trying to be one of "those people".

 

[RickyAllen19]

Will Richards be on the u19 team?

I don't think so

 

[*Bleedingblue*]

Never really thought Bamba was coming here but you never know a kid might of surprised me like Knox did. But I have always been super impressed with Richards aestheticism, really is an off the charts level. If he had better hands he would be higher ranked. Bamba wanted to play on the perimeter not just down low. Cal likes to have his bigs down around the basket that is why I never was high on Bamba coming here. I would have had Bam return instead as his soph year would have been a huge one.

 

[gossie21]

Davis was 6'10 with a 7'4 wingspan, and only 214# at the NHS.
Richards was 7' with 7'4, and 240#.

There are no solid numbers on Davis' vertical because the USA team doesn't participate in those, and Davis skipped the athletic portion of the combine. But some reports have his vertical around 35.5" same as Blake Griffins'. Keep in mind that is his max (running) vertical. Richards standing vertical was 30" at the NHS. That puts him in Davis' athleticism range. Now all he needs is Davis' skill, timing, quickness, and instincts..........

 

[WildMoon]

Davis grew to 7'6" +. So we'll see.

Also Davis was elite timer and did not foul.

Let's not compare to our best 5.

 

[ib4ky]

Will Richards be on the u19 team?

Isn't he from Jamaica?

 

[Rupp'sRunt]

Live look at Bamba at UT practice with smart next year.

 

[Crankdatmustard]

Davis grew to 7'6" +. So we'll see.

Also Davis was elite timer and did not foul.

Let's not compare to our best 5.

Davis was 7'5 at the NBA Combine so that info is incorrect

 

[JwUKFan11]

Isn't he from Jamaica?

Yes.

 

[RickyAllen19]

 

[Black Diamond Cat]

Going to be fine with Richards, Gabriel, SKJ, Washington, Wynward, Vanderbilt etc.

 

[Cawood86]

Richards is over looked a lot. I am excited about him because I feel he plays with an edge (a chip if you will). His offense is a little raw but I think his rebounding and defense will be much more important. Cal wanted this kid bad and got him. That's good enough for me.
Frontcourt depth and versatility will be high for this upcoming team. Lots of interchangeable pieces. Something Cal hasn't had a lot of lately.

 

[Deli owl]

Measured out at the Nike Hoops Summit at 7'0 240 with a 7'4 wing span (same as Anthony Davis).

Sucks we didn't get Bamba but let's not act like we won't have an elite rim protector next season.

That's my favorite helmet.

 

[gossie21]

Isn't he from Jamaica?

Does Jamaica compete in FIBA youth events? If Richards hasn't played for Jamaica at a FIBA event then he may still be eligible to play for the US. He may not want to, since it would be easier to make the Jamaica team if he wants to play in the Olympics or other FIBA events in the future.

 

[Sparkaces1]

Was really hoping Richards could play about 10 min a game and be ready for 2018.

 

[Dablueman]

Richards is over looked a lot. I am excited about him because I feel he plays with an edge (a chip if you will). His offense is a little raw but I think his rebounding and defense will be much more important. Cal wanted this kid bad and got him. That's good enough for me.
Frontcourt depth and versatility will be high for this upcoming team. Lots of interchangeable pieces. Something Cal hasn't had a lot of lately.

This right here. One of the anouncers even said Richards plays defense like he hates you. At the time he was guarding Bamba. He shoved Bamba around a little too. Kid has a mean streak. plus more weight to back it up kid could easily play at 250. Maybe a better shot blocker on the college level than many think. Most offensive players get into a skinny shot blocker chest. Won't be able to do this vs Richards. Plus throw in PJ is considered one of the best rebounders in the class we will be fine. Plus Jones is way better than he is being credit for

 

[dave5164]

It would have been nice to get Bamba but we are still loaded underneath with Richards, SKJ, Washington, Vanderbilt, and Wynyard at the 4 and 5.

 

[drcats2013]

THANK YOU. People forget that Richards is stud . Hell he is Bamba's equal or better except in terms of shot blocking as Bamba has no equal at that.

Equal or better, huh. Take off the blue goggles dude. Richards is a good player, don't get me wrong. Bamba is a possible top 5 pic.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Bamba was never head and shoulders better than Richards as some people said. Yes, I take Bamba over Richards.. but Nick is going to prove to a lot of us that they are closer in overall talent than we think.

Also, much of the allure of Bamba is what he'll do 5 years down the line, 10 years, 15 years. 1 year is all either have.. and we'll never see the full potential of either. In that regards, what Richards contributes for a single year will be very close to Bamba's contributions.. 5 years? Not so much. 10 years? even more.

 

[KentuckyCat420]

View embedded media

Another example of Richards' inability to catch a basketball. Don't get too excited, this kid is going to foul like crazy and turn it over constantly.

He'll have flashes of greatness mostly followed by head scratching decisions throughout the year.

 

[ace on the river]

Measured out at the Nike Hoops Summit at 7'0 240 with a 7'4 wing span (same as Anthony Davis).

Sucks we didn't get Bamba but let's not act like we won't have an elite rim protector next season.

He is NOT an elite rim protector. I watched him play at least 8 times in the last two years, and he probably blocked 5 shots.

 

[skycorbuk]

I'm happy to have Richards, and I think he'll be a big contributor for us.

But Cal recruited Bamba for a reason. He obviously thought we would be a betters team with him than without him. So, logically, missing on him hurts us. I just don't see the need to avoid that.

But, that said, I really like the group we have. If he's healthy, Vanderbilt will grow into one of the greats. (I REALLY love his game.) Knox is going to drive opposing defenses crazy, with them having to respect his shot at 18-21 feet, but also having to deal with his athleticism in the lane and at the rim. Green is the perfect point to dish to those two, as well as the shooters we'll have in Baker and Alexander (who, himself, is going to confound defenses with his athleticism). Throw in Richards and Washington down low, as well as the wild-card potential of SKJ and Gabriel (not to mention Brad!), and we're going to be very, very good. It might take us a few games to develop our rhythm, but once we do, the sky's the limit.

And if I'm wrong and Diallo returns, we could be scary good.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Despite Richards’ skills, depth at the 5 is an issue if SKJ doesn’t make strides (at that’s the major question right now). Painting it any other way is to ignore reality. Gabriel and Vanderbilt won’t be touching the 5 spot. Washington could play the 5 at times – probably only in a pinch – and that would have to be an extreme pinch.

Tai is still an unknown. Some of you will have to go into next season without all the trimmings worked out in your minds. There are unknowns about the next UK team now – not many, but enough to dissuade casual observances from becoming inflated optimism.

Hopefully SKJ makes the leap and Diallo returns.

 

[Blueblood22]

Another example of Richards' inability to catch a basketball. Don't get too excited, this kid is going to foul like crazy and turn it over constantly.

He'll have flashes of greatness mostly followed by head scratching decisions throughout the year.

...he gets pushed in the back, controls the ball and makes a turnaround hook shot all before Bamba has time to react, and this is somehow bad?

 

[ccukuk]

Davis was 6'10 with a 7'4 wingspan, and only 214# at the NHS.
Richards was 7' with 7'4, and 240#.

There are no solid numbers on Davis' vertical because the USA team doesn't participate in those, and Davis skipped the athletic portion of the combine. But some reports have his vertical around 35.5" same as Blake Griffins'. Keep in mind that is his max (running) vertical. Richards standing vertical was 30" at the NHS. That puts him in Davis' athleticism range. Now all he needs is Davis' skill, timing, quickness, and instincts..........

And the brow

 

[AndreDaBossManMaGee]

THANK YOU. People forget that Richards is stud . Hell he is Bamba's equal or better except in terms of shot blocking as Bamba has no equal at that.

Hell Richards seems to think he is a much better shot blocker than bamba and claims he's already proved that up to that point when interviewed at all star game.

 

[Aike]

He is NOT an elite rim protector. I watched him play at least 8 times in the last two years, and he probably blocked 5 shots.

He averaged 1.5 blocks per game at Peach Jam, but I'll go with your 5 blocks on 8 games. Sounds more scientific.

 

[ace on the river]

He averaged 1.5 blocks per game at Peach Jam, but I'll go with your 5 blocks on 8 games. Sounds more scientific.

I wasn't at the peach jam, having said that, he did get in foul trouble in 2 games i attended

 

[Aike]

I wasn't at the peach jam, having said that, he did get in foul trouble in 2 games i attended

I don't think he's an elite shot blocker, but I think he's serviceable. With the right instruction, I don't see why he can't block 2+ shots per game.

I have no clue how quickly he will catch on, stay out of foul trouble, etc.

But I have a feeling we will be a pretty good shot blocking team even without Bamba.

We were a top 20 shot blocking team last year with Bam playing next to Derek Willis and 3 guards. I'm willing to bet we will be top 10 next year. Top 5 wouldn't be a shock.

 

[Cat Ballou]

Cal and Kenny Payne need to get p!ssed and focus on developing Richards and getting him drafted above Bamba.

 

[gossie21]

I don't think he's an elite shot blocker, but I think he's serviceable. With the right instruction, I don't see why he can't block 2+ shots per game.

I have no clue how quickly he will catch on, stay out of foul trouble, etc.

But I have a feeling we will be a pretty good shot blocking team even without Bamba.

We were a top 20 shot blocking team last year with Bam playing next to Derek Willis and 3 guards. I'm willing to bet we will be top 10 next year. Top 5 wouldn't be a shock.

We will be a good shot blocking team next year. We have length all along the frontcourt. Richards has a 7'4 wingspan. PJ Washington's 7'3 wingspan. Vanderbilt's is 7'1. SKJ's is 7'2.

 

[bookerfan66]

I think he's only been playing basketball for 3 or 4 years so of course there is much to work on.But he seems like a solid defender and decent shot blocker.I think many believe Bamba is a better offensive player than he actually is.Nick is actually a little better on offense.

 

[railroadkat_1]

Bamba was never head and shoulders better than Richards as some people said. Yes, I take Bamba over Richards.. but Nick is going to prove to a lot of us that they are closer in overall talent than we think.

Also, much of the allure of Bamba is what he'll do 5 years down the line, 10 years, 15 years. 1 year is all either have.. and we'll never see the full potential of either. In that regards, what Richards contributes for a single year will be very close to Bamba's contributions.. 5 years? Not so much. 10 years? even more.

LineSkinCat: let's remember that Richards has only been playing 3 years of organized Basketball! Nick is aggressive and at 240 will be an improving post presence. If he can learn to control his fouls it would help him and his team. I like when he rebounds and looks quickly for his point guard or streaking team mate. Runs the floor very well.