Connect with us

Men's Basketball

Nick Richards took the Path Most Players are not Willing to take…but it paid off

Published

on

On November 10, 2016, Nick Richards committed to play basketball at the University of Kentucky. At that time, he was ranked in the top 20 of the ESPN 100 as a five-star recruit, just four years after he started playing basketball.

Today, Richards announced that he would forego his remaining eligibility and stay in the 2020 NBA Draft, whenever it might occur. But, when it does occur and Richards’ name is announced, I can assure you he will get one huge hug from John Calipari and many Kentucky fans across the country will shed a tear because we all know what he’s been through.

The road he took from the day he committed to draft day is not one many players are willing to take.

Nick Richards was discovered by Andre Rickett, a New York City basketball scout, in Jamaica in the summer of 2013. That’s where it began.

Advertisement

The Jamaican stud visited Lexington on September 30 and committed to play for John Calipari not even two months later. Richards only held offers from two other schools, Arizona and Syracuse.

Many of us first saw Richards play at the 2017 McDonald’s All-American Game at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. He recorded two points, two rebounds, and two blocked shots in 14 minutes of action. A stat-line that would sadly become consistent in his first two years as a Wildcat.

He would go on to play in the 2017 Jordan Brand Classic and would later be selected to the World Team in the 2017 Nike Hoops Summit before beginning his freshman year under John Calipari.

His freshman year was full of disappointment. Yes, nearly that entire roster was, as the Cats never really lived up to their potential, getting bounced in the Sweet 16 by Kansas State, but it was really a painful first year for Richards.

Advertisement

In 37 games played, Richards totaled 15 minutes per game, averaging only 5 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 blocked shot.

Freshman Nick Richards will be remembered more for his poorly-timed blocked shot attempts, missed dunks, dropped balls, and ability to always looked lost on the court.

My dad would always say at least once during games, “someone needs to stop giving Nick Richards buttered popcorn before games.”

Honestly, you would think there was nowhere to go but up. We all thought he would have a breakout sophomore year, at least I did, and that he would be departing Lexington after two years of college play. Boy was we wrong. Things got a lot worse.

Advertisement

In his sophomore year, Richards saw drops in all of his per-game averages, except blocks. The good thing was Kentucky didn’t really need him because of guys like P.J. Washington and Reid Travis. Could you imagine if both P.J. and Nick made that jump? Kentucky would’ve coasted to a ninth national title.

Instead, Richards sat the bench most of the NCAA Tournament, playing not even a minute in Kentucky’s Elite Eight loss to Auburn, and making for a very disappointing sophomore campaign.

Yes, the “buttered popcorn” joke was uttered by my father many times that year.

I hate to say it, but I, along with many others, had given up on Nick Richards and turned our heads toward E.J. Montgomery. Yes, the one player left to announce his NBA decision.

Advertisement

We were all looking for him to make that P.J. Washington-like jump from his freshman to sophomore year. Well, that didn’t happen. Instead, the improvement we hoped to see in Nick Richards the previous year came a year later.

Richards’ numbers improved immensely. In 31 games this year, Richards averaged 30 MPG, 14 points, eight rebounds, two blocks, and shot 75-percent from the free throw line.

I guess someone finally took the butter off the popcorn.

Sadly, Kentucky’s season ended early due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ending, as of now, six Kentucky careers early. Who knows if the Cats would’ve been cutting down the nets in Atlanta. But, watching guys improve like Immanuel Quickley and Nick Richards was good enough for me.

As I said above, the path Richards took to staying in the NBA Draft isn’t one many players are willing to take.

Advertisement

After Richards had the best game of his UK career against Texas Tech, he told the media that it’s okay to not be a one-and-done:

We don’t know when the NBA Draft will take place or when Richards will be drafted. But, when he is, it will be a very special occasion.

Advertisement

BB Recruiting

Wake Forest Transfer Andrew Carr Commits to Kentucky

Published

on

Wake Forest transfer Andrew Carr has committed to play for Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats.
David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

After finalizing all but one member of the staff last week, including the official announcements of top recruiters Alvin Brooks and Jason Hart, the Kentucky Wildcats have received their third commitment in as many days.

“BOOM!” Kentucky assistant Cody Fueger tweeted out on Sunday afternoon. Just hours later, Wake Forest transfer Andrew Carr announced his commitment to Kentucky.

Carr is ranked as the 75th-best transfer by ESPN.

Advertisement

Carr began his college career at Delaware, where his father and uncle both played. After two seasons, he elected to transfer to Wake Forest, where started in all 68 games. This past season, Carr was the star big man of a Demon Deacon team that won 20+ games for just the second time over the last decade.

This past season, Carr averaged career-highs in points at 13.5 per game, and rebounds at 6.8 per game. Doing so on 53% shooting from the field and 37% from deep. Per KenPom, he played primarily at the 4 spot and occasionally logged minutes at the 5, so he can play alongside Amari Williams as a stretch big. It is worth noting that Kentucky is also hosting Utah State transfer big Great Osobor for a three-day visit, alongside his family.

While Carr is experienced, his NCAA Tournament experience is limited. Playing just one tournament game, a 20-point loss to a 2-seeded Villanova team in 2022.

Watch a breakdown of the newest Wildcat below.

Advertisement

Also posted on A Sea of Blue.

Continue Reading

BB Recruiting

Top 25 Transfer Otega Oweh Commits to Kentucky

Published

on

Oklahoma Sooners transfer Otega Oweh has comitted to play basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats.
NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

Following Lamont Butler’s commitment to Kentucky on Friday, the Wildcats have received another commitment less than 24 hours later. This time Oklahoma transfer Otega Oweh, he announced on his social media.

This comes after Oweh visited Lexington earlier this week, with reports coming out that his recruitment could be wrapped up quickly after.

Oweh is a top 25 transfer according to 247Sports, 38th by EvanMiya, and 55th by ESPN. Listed at 6-5, 210 pounds, Oweh is a strong and physical guard. His strength and athleticism have been a strength dating back to high school, which allows him to impact the game defensively, and also to get to the rim and thrive in transition opportunities.

Advertisement

In two years at Oklahoma, the area that Oweh has significantly improved in has been his shooting. As a freshman, he shot just 25 percent from three, on just four attempts for the season, to 37.7 percent as a sophomore, making 20 of his 53 attempts. Most of that success comes from catch-and-shoot opportunities, where he rates in the 87th percentile. His ability to shoot off the dribble is the polar opposite, rating in just the 4th percentile.

Oweh is a two-way player with two years of eligibility remaining, while he will bring experience, there is still room for development with NBA upside. While he may not be a primary option, he’s certainly a player that can impact the game.

Oweh is now Kentucky’s third addition from the transfer portal and sixth player overall. A handful of top transfers are visiting, or currently visiting, Kentucky this weekend. The staff is hopeful a few join the roster.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

BB Recruiting

REPORT: San Diego State Transfer Lamont Butler Commits to Kentucky

Published

on

San Diego State transfer Lamont Butler has committed to play basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats.
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Amidst anxiety from many of the Big Blue Nation, the Kentucky basketball program has added another player to the roster. On Friday Lamont Butler, a consensus top-60 transfer from San Diego State, committed to Kentucky, reported by On3.

Kentucky has been in contact with Butler since he entered the portal earlier this week. On Friday morning, four members of the Kentucky staff took a visit to Las Vegas, which we know now was to see Butler. It was enough to secure his commitment.

Coming out of a high school as a three-star prospect, Butler has been a true case of development. In four seasons with San Diego State, he improved his numbers year after year. As a three-year starter for the Aztecs, Butler averaged 7.7 points (41.2% FG), 2.6 assists, and 2.3 rebounds. He also received Mountain West All-Defense honors three straight seasons, winning the Defensive Player of the Year award this past year.

Advertisement

Butler was a star for the San Diego State team that made it to the National Championship game in 2023, even hitting the buzzer-beater to send them to the title game. He will provide Kentucky with proven experience and the knowledge of what it takes to win.

As his defensive accolades show, Butler makes his biggest impact on the defensive side of the ball. However, he plays well within a system and is a really good passer for a guard who plays primarily off the ball, with a 21 percent assist rate. He also grades fairly well analytically on spot-up shots and in pick-and-roll situations as the ball handler.

With Butler on the roster, there are still many spots to fill, especially some spots for “dudes”. Fortunately, many big names are expected to be in Lexington this weekend for the visit.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending