Syracuse Prospect Taking Full Advantage of New NBA Draft Eligibility Rule

CHICAGO — Syracuse Orange guard Malachi Richardson is milking the new rule that allows prospects who don’t hire agents the freedom to return to school within 10 days after the NBA draft combine. 

He showed up to Chicago without representation but also had something to prove, considering he hadn’t generated any real buzz throughout the year until the Orange’s Final Four run. That’s why Richardson raised some eyebrows when he opted to sit out drills and five-on-five scrimmaging, a decision traditionally made by projected first-round players with more to lose than gain. 

Surely a few big games late in the season couldn’t have helped Richardson, who shot 37 percent as a freshman, secure a top-30 spot in the draft—could it?

When asked what it will take for him to stay in the draft, Richardson told Bleacher Report: “A guaranteed first-round, early first-round spot.”

Well, on Friday, ESPN’s Chad Ford reported Richardson has told teams he’ll keep his name in. 

The 20-year-old fast-riser didn’t say he had any promises at the moment, but a few sources seemed fairly confident Richardson will (if he hasn’t already) get the promise he’s looking for. 

“His people are saying he’s a first-round lock,” one scout said. “Probably accurate.”

“[Richardson] got a lot better, man,” another scout said. “Fundamentally sound player who can shoot it. Shooting is such a premium for a guard nowadays, so I do think he gets that first-round guarantee.” 

“I’ve heard a few things, but you never know sometimes,” Richardson said Thursday. 

“This rule has helped me out a bunch,” he said. “Being able to go through all these different things and just figure everything out. Actually being able to go through this process, it’s helping. I’m being able to figure out different things that I probably wouldn’t have figured out right after the Final Four. 

“Back then, I would have probably made the wrong decisions, but I think having this amount of time and going through the whole process, I think the decision I make will be a …

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