Like father, like son.
Jase Richardson’s latest step following his dad’s footsteps is being picked in the first round of the NBA draft.
The 19-year-old guard who spent only one season at Michigan State was selected by the Orlando Magic with the 25th pick during the first round of the 2025 draft on Wednesday night in Brooklyn.
During his lone year in East Lansing, Richardson averaged 12.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 36 games with 15 starts and helped the Spartans to a Big Ten title and trip to the Elite Eight. He became the team’s top player down the stretch before taking coach Tom Izzo’s advice and declaring for the draft.
Richardson is the first Michigan State player selected in the first round since Jaren Jackson Jr. went No. 4 overall and Miles Bridges went 12th in 2018. He’s the first one-and-done for the Spartans since Max Christie, who was picked in the second round in 2022.
Richardson was not among the 24 players invited to the green room at Barclays Center. His dad is former Spartan All-American Jason Richardson, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2001 draft following his sophomore season and his 13 years in the league included two with the Magic.
Initially projected as a potential lottery pick to match his dad, Richardson’s stock appeared to drop after being measured at 6-foot-0.5 without shoes during the NBA draft combine in May. That was after Michigan State listed him at 6-3, although he still registered a 6-6 wingspan.
Richardson, a former four-star recruit, didn’t arrive at Michigan State with one-and-done hype but made a smooth transition and stood out early. His first start was a memorable one as he [poured in a career-high 29 points to lead the Spartans to a Feb. 8 win against Oregon](https://www.mlive.com/spartans/2025/02/back-from-hollywood-michigan-states-jase-richardson-stars-in-his-own-dream.html) on the same day his dad and the rest of the 2000 team was honored for the 25th anniversary of winning a national title.
That performance elevated Richardson’s profile and he averaged 16.1 points while scoring double digits in 14 of 15 starts to close the season before an Elite Eight loss to Auburn in Atlanta. He shot a team-best 41.2 percent from 3-point range (47-for-114) as a shifty and intelligent three-level scorer.
After declaring for the draft, Richardson had the opportunity to remove his name and return to Michigan State for a sophomore season but remained all in. He [relied on the advice of his parents](https://www.mlive.com/spartans/2025/05/michigan-states-jase-richardson-leaning-on-parents-for-nba-draft-decision.html) and is now the second in his family to achieve the NBA dream.