Syracuse guard Malachi Richardson to enter NBA Draft; won’t sign with agent

RichardsontrapGT
Malachi Richardson will find out more about his NBA prospects by declaring for the 2016 draft
RichardsontrapGT
Malachi Richardson will find out more about his NBA prospects by declaring for the 2016 draft

With new rules in place for college players eyeing their NBA prospects, it’s no surprise that Syracuse freshman guard Malachi Richardson has submitted his name to be draft eligible ahead of the April 24 deadline to declare, the university announced in a story published on its athletic department website Monday afternoon.

Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim indicated that Richardson will not sign with an agent.

“With the new rules, it’s an opportunity for Malachi to get a better understanding of where he would be in the draft,” Boeheim said in the story.

» Related: Syracuse answered lingering question with Final Four run

Richardson started all 37 games during his freshman year playing some 34 minutes a game, averaging 13.4 points, and 4.3 rebounds.  His rookie season was highlighted by a stellar second half and career-high 23 points, including six 3-pointers, in the memorable comeback win against top seed, and ACC nemesis Virginia in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight to earn the Orange’s sixth Final Four berth.

The NBA invites college prospects to its draft combine in Chicago, May 11-15, and prospects can also tryout with one NBA team.  Richardson must decide by May 25 whether to return to school for his sophomore season, or remain draft eligible.

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About Brad Bierman 848 Articles
Now in his sixth decade of covering SU sports, Brad was sports director of WSYR radio for eight years into the early 1990s, then wrote the Orange Watch column for The Big Orange/The Juice print publication for 18 years. A Syracuse University graduate, Brad currently runs his own media consulting business in the Philadelphia suburbs. Follow him on Twitter @BradBierman.