Jase Richardson picked the right night to remind everyone what he can do.
Back in the lineup Wednesday after sitting out the Orlando Magic’s Summer League game against Frankie Fidler and the Portland Trail Blazers earlier this week, Richardson took over in a 99-92 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. In a matchup that included several former first-round picks, including Labaron Philon Jr. for Philadelphia, Richardson looked like the most dangerous player on the floor.
He logged a team-high 30 minutes for Orlando and finished with 25 points, leading all scorers in the game. Richardson also added four assists, three steals and three made 3-pointers on five attempts. He shot 10-for-15 from the field and finished tied for second among all players with a plus-minus of +15.
That kind of line fits the way he’s been playing in Summer League overall. Even with the missed game, Richardson has been the Magic’s most steady presence and has helped push them to a 3-1 record. Orlando now gets the next two days off before the Summer League semifinals.
The performance also gives another glimpse of why his role feels ready to grow.
Richardson was effective in a limited role as a rookie, averaging 10.9 minutes across 54 games. He posted 4.4 points and 1.1 assists per game while shooting better than 47 percent from the floor and over 35 percent from deep. For a Magic team that reached the NBA Playoffs before being eliminated by the Detroit Pistons, he spent much of last season learning the league.
Now he looks like a player who’s moved past that phase.
He’s not the biggest guard out there, which was one of the concerns when he was drafted in the first round last year, but his feel for the game keeps showing up. The way he reads the floor, makes the right play and stays efficient has the look of a player who can give Orlando real minutes. That high-IQ approach traces back to his time at Michigan State under Tom Izzo.
A bigger second-year jump feels very much on the table. Richardson has already shown he can be crafty, athletic and harder to guard as this year goes on. If Orlando leans into that, his Summer League breakout may end up looking like a preview rather than a one-off.
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The timing matters, too, because Michigan State is not entering this one alone. UCLA and Kansas have already shown interest after the Spartans made their move, turning what looked like a strong early offer into a much tougher national pursuit. Pemberton has been standing out in summer showcases with the efficiency and playmaking that have drawn comparisons to established college and pro guards, which means this recruitment figures to stay crowded for a while. [Read more 🡒]
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Michigan State May Have Finally Found Its Answer At Center
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The appeal goes beyond just filling a spot. He has been one of the more decorated centers in his league, and his arrival gives Michigan State a legitimate chance to settle a position that has been a concern. The only real question now is how quickly that production and poise translate once he steps into a Power Four huddle. [Read more 🡒]