Michigan State guard Jase Richardson has basketball in his blood, which was heavily showcased during his freshman season. Without much surprise, he put his name into the 2025 NBA Draft. Being the son of former NBA player and Spartan legend Jason Richardson , it was only a matter of time. Starting primarily as a role player for the first half of the 2024-25 season, Jase Richardson quickly proved that he was arguably the most important player for the Spartans’ run to a Big Ten title and Elite 8 appearance. Richardson’s all-around ability as a guard should put him amongst the top players in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Jase Richardson 2025 NBA Draft Profile
College Career
Richardson came to Michigan State , more or less undervalued by the national rankings. He certainly showed how much better he was than his early 2024-25 season projection. It started with his debut in the Spartans’ season opener against Monmouth, as he finished with 10 points and four assists, also shooting 4-5 from the field. That debut was just the beginning for Richardson, as he continued to grow throughout the season.
When the Spartans went to Maui, Richardson was more than ready to showcase his ability. He went off against both Colorado (13 points) and Memphis, he made himself look far more experienced than a freshman. His 18 points kept MSU in the game against Memphis despite not having enough firepower to hang with the Tigers. Richardson also had a great game despite taking a shot to the head, which eventually kept him out in the Spartans’ final game in Maui. From there, Jase continued to give the Spartans a major boost from the bench.
He started to show up in some of Michigan State’s biggest moments, His biggest moment came in the Spartans’ clash with the Oregon Ducks at the Breslin Center. As MSU honored the 2000 National Championship team’s 25th anniversary, Richardson delivered a stellar performance. With his dad sitting right by the bench, Jase made his first start and completely took over in a game that the Spartans trailed by double digits at halftime. He finished the game with 29 points and five rebounds. That game started to show that Richardson was a legit baller, and likely a one-year player at the college level.
Counting that game, Richardson finished 14 of the Spartans’ last 15 games in double digits, further proving he was the team’s most talented player. Not to mention, he also finished as an All-Big Ten freshman player. He posted averages of 12.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and nearly two assists per game.
Strengths
Richardson comes in listed at 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds. He has a slightly smaller frame, but he has the quickness and versatility to score over much bigger defenders. He can hit the next gear pretty easily and has a quick first step, which makes him hard to stop in transition. Richardson can stop and pull up, plus he isn’t afraid to attack the rim. Sure, he’s not as tall as his dad Jason is, but Richardson isn’t afraid to get to the basket. His full skill set could easily give him a chance to be a three-level scorer. His jumper is smooth, and when he gets it going, he can take over a game. In some of the Spartans’ toughest games down the stretch, Richardson showcased this in their run to the Big Ten Championship.
Richardson isn’t afraid to dish the ball to his teammates. He’s an underrated passer at times. At the defensive end of the floor, Richardson wasn’t afraid to take on all types of players during the season. Sure, there were times bigger-bodied guards looked like they had an advantage over him, but more often than not, he kept them at bay. He always seems to be in the right spot at the right time to try and steal the ball or force a turnover. His lateral quickness helps him stick with his man through screens and switches.
Richardson’s ability to get to the free-throw line and finish was pretty remarkable, especially for being a youngster. More often than not, when he was getting to the line, it was in a situation where he made a basket and got fouled. Not to mention, he shot 83.6 percent from the free-throw line. That should carry over well for Jase Richardson in the NBA Draft.
Weaknesses
The biggest knock for Richardson right now is his body. He doesn’t quite have an NBA body yet. He’s got the talent to make a career in the NBA, but a little more size would make things a little easier. His size could easily limit him against bigger defenders who can match his quickness. Richardson was a strong finisher with his right hand, but he has to develop finishing with his left hand as well. That is a must in the NBA, as defenders can easily calculate what a player is going to do if they are limited to just one side of the basket.
His biggest question will be if he’s ready to become a primary ball-handler. In the spare minutes he got to do that for the Spartans, the offense was pretty stagnant, unless it was on a fast break. He will need to be ready to handle pressure.
NBA Comparison
Richardson has a huge legacy to live up to. His dad, Jason, famously played for 14 years in the NBA. Like his dad, he helped Michigan State win the Big Ten, so he’s already got that going for him. Though it would be nice to say his NBA comparison is his dad, he’s not as tall. Jase is, however, very similar to another former Golden State Warrior.
Richardson’s comparison is easily in the mold of Monta Ellis or even in today’s game, Cason Wallace from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Like Richardson, Wallace, and Ellis are 6-foot-3. Both came into the NBA more as two-guards, but could also handle the ball. In Ellis’ case, he quickly became the face of the organization for the Warriors from 2005-2012. He was also a great leader for a Warriors team that coined the phrase ‘We Believe’, which was the mindset Ellis and even the elder Richardson played with through their Warriors tenures.
Wallace hasn’t gotten to Ellis’ level as of yet, but this season he averaged over eight points per game. Plus, both were deemed undersized when they came into the NBA. That bolsters the case that Jase Richardson’s NBA Draft potential is high.
2025 NBA Draft Projection
Late Lottery Pick
Photo credit: © Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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