Jase Richardson officially began his professional career this week as he was selected in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft.
Everyone was a little surprised at his slide down to No. 25 overall, but he still became the Spartans' first first-round pick since Jaren Jackson Jr. and their first one-and-done since Max Christie.
Almost everyone has dubbed Orlando's pick of Richardson at No. 25 "a steal" and has praised the Magic for buying low on Jase. However, one anonymous Big Ten coach has a different opinion.
[According to a write-up from anonymous coaches on ESPN](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/45593168/2025-nba-draft-reactions-college-basketball-coaches) regarding NBA draft prospects, one Big Ten coach believes that Richardson is too small to be a scorer in the NBA and he's not a "shooter" but a scorer at 6-foot-0 or 6-foot-1 and he doesn't see it working out.
> "I like Jase Richardson. He would be a nightmare to coach against in college next year, but I don't see it \[in the NBA\]. He's a 6-foot guard whose primary skill is scoring -- not shooting, but scoring. He's not a great defender, not a super dynamic playmaker for others. He's got below-average size. So is he Trae Young? Is he T.J. McConnell? Is he Davion Mitchell?"
>
> Anonymous Big Ten coach, ESPN
This is just flat-out disrespectful considering Richardson tore up the Big Ten as a true freshman and was a plus defender with a long wingspan. He was one of the best two-way players that Michigan State had and he was only going to get better if he returned, but the size would always be an issue even if he did come back. Knocking him for his size when it didn't affect him in 2024-25 is hilarious.
This is just another case of an anonymous coach saying something without a ton of proof to back it up and when this ends up not coming true, he doesn't get to eat crow because he'll never own it.
Add this to the list of bulletin board material for Jase Richardson to use during his rookie year.
I trust the opinion from Hall of Fame head coach Tom Izzo more than one from a guy afraid to put his face to his "hot take".