Richmond ends up being UK’s fifth ESPN 100 dedicate

• Jeff Borzello Close Jeff Borzello ESPN Staff Author Basketball recruiting insider. Signed up with ESPN in 2014. Graduate of University of Delaware.Paul Biancardi Close Paul Biancardi Basketball Recruiting National Recruiting Director for ESPN.com 18 years of coaching experience at Department I

  level Former Horizon League coach of the year at Wright State Dec 21, 2023, 04:09 PM

• ET Top-40 senior Billy Richmond dedicated to Kentucky on Thursday, providing John Calipari his fifth ESPN 100 possibility in the 2024 class.Richmond chose

the Wildcats over Memphis, where his father played for Calipari, with Alabama and LSU likewise in Richmond’s last 4.”I have household ties,”Richmond told ESPN.

“My former colleagues exist, D.J. Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw. I likewise played with [Kentucky signee]

Boogie Fland when we were more youthful for the NY Gauchos. I have been to their campus sometimes, and I know where everything is. I am incredibly comfortable there. Their play design fits my game. They wish to run on offense and rating from their defense. “Richmond’s father, who’s likewise Billy Richmond, played two seasons at Memphis under Calipari in 2003 and 2004, averaging 7.7 points in 27 games. The Kentucky head coach’s relationship with the Richmond family was ultimately hard to beat out.” Coach Cal is a funny guy off the court,”the younger Richmond said. “On the court, he is intense and tough. His players enhance, and they have fun. That is what I want. He brightens up a room when he walks in.

His suggestions to me is to keep my motor going every day. No letup. I have actually built a fantastic relationship with him and the staff. “A 6-foot-6 small forward from Camden(N.J.)High School, Richmond took a huge jump in the spring and summertime after his junior season. He balanced 17.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.2 helps on the Nike EYBL circuit with the NJ Scholars, shooting 60 %inside the arc. He had nine games of 20-plus points, including 2 double-doubles. Richmond is an effective athlete with speed and quickness. The left-handed wing scores best with a straight-line drive and can finish with authority over defenders. In transition, he stands apart when he fills the lane and cuts to the rim for lobs. His dive shot and foul shooting show he is capable but requires more associates before he arrives in Lexington. On the defensive end, what makes him intriguing is his ability to protect multiple positions with lateral quickness, a strong frame and long arms.At Kentucky, Richmond joins a five-man 2024 recruiting class that includes luxury potential customers Jayden Quaintance(No. 14 )and Fland(No. 18), in addition to four-star ESPN 100 employees Somto Cyril (No. 55 )and Travis Perry(No. 84). The Wildcats also are still in the hunt for top-five possibility V.J. Edgecombe. They went into the day with the No. 3 class in the country, although Richmond’s commitment will close the gap on No. 2 Rutgers.