Jase Richardson Is Starting to Shine - And the NBA Is Taking Notice
It’s not easy to stand out as a rookie in the NBA, especially when you’re not a lottery pick. But Jase Richardson, the former Michigan State standout and son of two-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion Jason Richardson, is quietly carving out a role for himself in Orlando - and doing it with the kind of efficiency and poise that turns heads.
Richardson’s path to this point has been about steady growth, something that’s been a theme since his college days under Tom Izzo at Michigan State. He wasn’t a day-one sensation, but he was effective early, scoring in double figures in six of his first nine games.
Then came the inevitable freshman slump - a four-game stretch where he couldn’t crack double digits. But when Michigan State needed a spark, Richardson delivered.
That moment came in February, with Jeremy Fears sidelined. Richardson exploded for 29 points, leading the Spartans back from a 14-point halftime deficit to knock off Oregon.
From that point on, he wasn’t just a contributor - he was the guy. He led Michigan State on a tear through the Big Ten, toppling Illinois, Purdue, Michigan (twice), Wisconsin, and Iowa.
The Spartans didn’t just win the conference - they ran away with it, finishing three games clear at the top. Richardson then capped off his freshman campaign with strong performances in three of the team’s four NCAA Tournament games before declaring for the draft.
Orlando made him the 25th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. And while that’s a solid spot, it doesn’t come with guaranteed minutes - especially on a team with playoff aspirations and a deep rotation. But Richardson has done what pros are supposed to do: earn his keep.
His rookie campaign started off slow. In October, he logged just 3.8 minutes per game over four appearances and scored a total of three points.
Not exactly eye-popping. But November brought more opportunity - and more production.
Richardson doubled his minutes to 7.6 per game, chipped in 4.0 points and 1.0 rebounds, and knocked down 56 percent of his threes. That’s the kind of efficiency that gets a coach’s attention.
By December, he was seeing nearly 15 minutes a night and averaging 6.8 points, 2.1 boards, and 1.6 assists. His shooting stayed strong at 48 percent from the field. Then came January - and with it, a real breakout.
Over six games this month, Richardson is averaging 10.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 17.8 minutes per game. His shooting?
A scorching 59 percent from the floor and 53 percent from beyond the arc. Those are elite numbers, no matter how you slice it, and they’re coming in meaningful minutes.
Now halfway through his rookie season, Richardson is averaging 6.0 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while shooting 51 percent overall and 42 percent from deep. That’s not just solid - it’s efficient, smart basketball from a young guard learning the pro game on the fly.
He’s not going to win Rookie of the Year - and that’s fine. This isn’t about hardware.
It’s about trajectory. And right now, Jase Richardson is on the rise.
He’s playing within himself, making the most of his minutes, and proving that he belongs in this league. By the end of the season, don’t be surprised if he’s not just part of the rotation - but a key piece of it.
The name might be familiar. But the game? That’s all Jase.