[The following scouting report is part of a series on potential 2025 draft prospects from Sports Business Classroom alumni.]

Jase Richardson
Frame: 6’1″, 178 lbs
Position: Guard
Team: Michigan State Spartans
2025 Draft Age: 19

Offense

For the overwhelming majority of incoming freshmen prospects, the two usual weaknesses are decision-making and efficiency; however, in Richardson’s case, these are his greatest strengths. He began the season coming off the bench as the Spartans’ sixth man and was a key piece to their blazing 17-2 start. In those 19 games, he averaged 9.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on 56.0/42.5/85.7 percent shooting splits in 22.1 minutes per game.

His combination of scoring efficiency, effectiveness as a secondary playmaker and high effort defense provided a steady presence and shows Richardson has all the makings of a high-impact role player. Besides that, after this impressive display of impact off the bench, Richardson was promoted to the starting lineup, where he stayed for the final 15 games of the year (including two conference and four national tournament games). In that 15-game sample, he averaged 16.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists on 47/42/81.9 percent shooting splits in 30.5 minutes per game. 

Despite a significant uptick in minutes and growth in his role, Richardson stayed efficient, steady and was a key contributor to Michigan State’s Elite Eight run. He succeeded in taking on additional ball-handling responsibilities, which was a huge green flag to scouts because of concerns over his self-creation ability: he struggled mightily dribbling with his right hand to start the season, but thankfully improved. Another aspect of his game worth mentioning is his ability to limit turnovers; his 7.9 percent turnover rate was the lowest of any draft prospect. That’s an impressive feat for a guard and a testament to Richardson’s IQ and ability to make reads at the next level. 

While it’s appealing that Richardson can play on-ball, it’s his off-ball game where he truly shines. His ability to run and cut to open space is among the best in the class and will surely be a key in his transition to the NBA. Richardson is relatively small by NBA standards, so his ability to create space for himself is super valuable and is another testament to his great IQ and feel: it requires great instincts to do what he does. In regards to attacking the basket, he does a good job of fighting through contact and getting the ball off in various ways. Richardson has a nice floater and other finishing moves that allow him to get off tough finishes against much bigger defenders. As a result, he possessed an impressive free-throw rate of 41.8 percent, which was better than that of Tre Johnson, Kon Knueppel and VJ Edgecombe.

Defense

Despite a wiry frame and below-average height, Richardson still found ways to be an impactful defender. While he doesn’t generate many steals, he does a great job of staying in front of his man. Richardson has horizontal speed and agility that enables him to hound his matchups,  boosted by a high motor and great effort. Otherwise, he’s far too short and lacks the vertical athleticism to have an impact as a rim protector. It’s unlikely that Richardson ever becomes an impactful defender given the limitations his size and athleticism present, but it’s also unlikely that he’s a defensive liability in the NBA.

Looking Ahead

Richardson was widely mocked as a lottery pick, an appropriate evaluation before the NBA Combine. His measurements (shorter than expected) could push him to the second half of the first round. Richardson lacks elite physical tools to become a superstar but possesses all the essential qualities of a long-term NBA role player. It’s worth mentioning that his stock could be affected if he measures shorter than his current listed 6’3’’ at the combine. However, his scoring efficiency, positive decision-making, IQ, and effort on the defensive end could still lead to a rotational role off the bench as early as his rookie season. In the long run, he could carve out a larger role should his self-creation ability ever improve to an NBA point guard level. Richardson may not be blessed with his father Jason Richardson’s dunking ability, but it’s clear he’s become a respectable NBA-caliber prospect in his own right.