2016 NBA Draft: Buddy Hield, Players Who Aced Elite Eight

March 26, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) celebrates the 80-68 victory against Oregon Ducks to win the West regional final of the NCAA Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
March 26, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) celebrates the 80-68 victory against Oregon Ducks to win the West regional final of the NCAA Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
Mar 27, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Syracuse Orange guard Malachi Richardson (23) celebrates during the second half in the championship game of the midwest regional of the NCAA Tournament against the Virginia Cavaliers at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Syracuse Orange guard Malachi Richardson (23) celebrates during the second half in the championship game of the midwest regional of the NCAA Tournament against the Virginia Cavaliers at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Malachi Richardson, Syracuse Orange

Opponent: Virginia Cavaliers (1)

Result: 68-62, W

Stat Line: 36 minutes, 23 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 6/16 FG, 3/7 3PT, 8/9 FT

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 20 (1/5/1996)

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’5.5″, 210 pounds, 6’11”

Analysis

Entering the 2015-16 college basketball season, many were intrigued by the pro potential of Syracuse Orange shooting guard Malachi Richardson. With the physical profile of an NBA swingman, and both the athleticism and shooting touch to match modern standards, there was some measure of hype.

After struggling for a vast majority of 2015-16, Richardson broke out in a major way during Syracuse’s comeback victory over the heavily favored Virginia Cavaliers in the Elite Eight.

Syracuse trailed Virginia by 16 points entering the second half, but Richardson would not let his team go down. He took over with 21 second-half points, shooting with the level of marksmanship that most expected of him when he first committed to playing for the Orange.

With the explosiveness to finish above the rim and the body of an NBA player, Richardson’s upside is certain to pique the interest of scouts and executives.

Richardson stands at 6’5.5″ and 205 pounds with a 6’11” wingspan—prototypical physical gifts. The downside is that he shot well below 40 percent from the field during the 2015-16 non-tournament season, and went a combined 4-of-21 from the floor during the Round of 32 and Sweet 16.

More hoops habit: Where do Buddy Hield and Malachi Richardson rank amongst the Top 30 prospects in the 2016 NBA Draft?

Even if his NBA career fails to pan out, Richardson has solidified his place in college basketball history by orchestrating one of the greatest comebacks of all-time.