Jan 6, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Orlando Magic guard Jase Richardson (11) takes a shot over Washington Wizards guard Bub Carrington (7) during the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

Former MSU Standout Richardson Shows Sixth-Man Potential

Originally posted on Michigan State Spartans on SI
By Luke Joseph | Last updated Jan 8, 2026 6:00 AM ET

After spending one season with Michigan State, former freshman guard Jase Richardson declared for the 2025 NBA Draft and was selected 25th overall by the Orlando Magic in the first round.

Since joining the Magic, Richardson has appeared in 26 games, all off the bench, and is averaging 5.6 points per game while shooting an impressive 50 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range.

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In his most recent game against the Washington Wizards, Richardson delivered the best performance of his young NBA career. Playing just 22 minutes off the bench, he scored a career-high—and team-high—20 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field and 3-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc.

Richardson at Michigan State

Coming out of high school, Richardson was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2024. He was ranked 35th nationally by On3 and 37th by 247Sports. Richardson committed to Michigan State, following in the footsteps of his father, Jason Richardson, a Spartan great.

Richardson began his freshman season coming off the bench as an efficient scoring sixth man. As the year progressed, his consistent production led to a steady rise in his NBA draft stock.

His breakout performance came in his first career start against Oregon. With his father watching from the stands, Richardson emerged as the Spartans’ best player, scoring a career-high 29 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field, 3-of-6 from three-point range, and 8-of-9 from the free-throw line.

Following that game, Richardson’s draft stock skyrocketed, with some mock drafts projecting him as a potential lottery pick. After helping lead the Spartans to an Elite Eight appearance and averaging 12.1 points per game while shooting 49.3 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from three-point range, Richardson declared for the NBA Draft.

Richardson with the Magic

As expected, Richardson was selected 25th overall by the Orlando Magic. Orlando targeted Richardson largely to address its shooting struggles after finishing last season as the NBA’s worst three-point shooting team.

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The Magic entered the offseason aiming to take the next step as a playoff contender. In a major move, Orlando traded for Desmond Bane, one of the league’s elite three-point shooters, signaling a clear emphasis on floor spacing and offensive efficiency.

With Richardson’s career performance against Washington and the Magic struggling to remain above .500, this could be an ideal opportunity for Orlando to expand his role. Rather than being limited as an eighth man off the bench, Richardson may be ready to assume a more consistent sixth-man role and provide a scoring spark for a team in need of offensive punch.

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Richardson’s efficiency and confidence mirror the traits that fueled his rapid rise at Michigan State, and his performance against Washington suggests he is ready for increased responsibility. As the Magic search for lineup stability and scoring depth, Richardson’s development could play a meaningful role in Orlando’s push to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference.