Billy Richmond switches back to Arkansas before draft deadline
Billy Richmond is going back to Arkansas after first being reported as staying in the NBA Draft. The switch came 22 minutes after that earlier update, and it changes the Razorbacks’ roster picture at the withdrawal deadline.
Razorbacks and Billy Richmond
Richmond had previously tested the draft waters while keeping his collegiate eligibility. Wednesday was the deadline to withdraw and preserve that eligibility, and Arkansas now has its most high-profile return from a Sweet 16 team that lost to Arizona.
He was one of Arkansas’ most productive wings last season. Richmond made the SEC All-Defense Team and averaged 11.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game as a sophomore, though he shot 25% from 3-point range after hitting 12% from deep in his rookie campaign.
NBA Draft Combine in Chicago
The combine helped push his stock into the conversation. In Chicago on May 12-14, Richmond measured 6 feet, 5.75 inches barefoot with a 6-foot-8 wingspan and weighed 195.4 pounds, while also posting an 8-foot-5 standing reach.
He also showed a sharper shooting touch in workouts, making 13 of 25 spot-up 3-pointers for 52%. In Scrimmage 1, he finished with 8 points, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 3 turnovers and 4 fouls in 20 minutes and 42 seconds; in Scrimmage 2, he had 11 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 foul in 19 minutes and 15 seconds.
Arkansas roster picture
Richmond is the most high-profile return from Arkansas’ Sweet 16 group, and that gives John Calipari one more proven piece while the rest of the roster keeps taking shape. Isaiah Sealy and Paulo Semedo already announced their returns, Arkansas has two portal commitments in Furman center Cooper Bowser and Georgia guard Jeremiah Wilkinson, and four freshmen are committed for next season: Jordan Smith, Abdou Toure, JJ Andrews and Maper Maker.
Calipari had already signaled the possibility of a comeback when he said, “I’m going to see if we can get Meleek [Thomas] in the first round somewhere. See about Billy [Richmond], see if we can get him in the first round somewhere. They may come back if they’re not in that first round.” With Richmond back, Arkansas still has to sort through Meleek Thomas’ decision before the June 23-24 draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
