The Michigan State Spartans are among the top teams in the 2025 NCAA tournament as their unselfish play from their freshman guard Jase Richardson has them competing for a national championship.
An active defender with bouts of athleticism and a knack for scoring, Richardson, whose father Jason Richardson played in the NBA, is among the list of players helping the Spartans as they try to make a run in March Madness.
Richardson earned a spot on the Great Lakes all-district second team, All-Big Ten third team and was selected to the Big Ten all-freshman team this season.
He will make his NCAA tournament debut for Michigan State, the No. 2 seed in the South region, on Friday when it takes on No. 15 seed Bryant (10 p.m., TBS) in the first round at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.
Here’s what you need to know about Richardson:
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How old is Jase Richardson?
Richardson is 19 years old and will turn 20 on October 16. He was born in 2005.
Where is Jase Richardson from?
Richardson is originally from Denver. He graduated from Columbus High School in Miami, Florida.
In high school, Richardson was among the top-40 players in the country and a four-star recruit. He averaged 16.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists for PG Elite on the Nike EYBL circuit during the summer of 2023, according to Michigan State.
Why did Jase Richardson go to MSU?
“I chose Michigan State because of the team and the coaching staff,” Richardson told the Michigan State athletic department. “I feel like I had a connection with everyone and from the start we built a great relationship.”
What position does Jase Richardson play?
Richardson is a left-handed combo guard for the Spartans. He is listed at 6 feet 3 and 185 pounds.
Who is Jase Richardson’s dad?
Richardson is the son of Jason Richardson, a consensus second-team All-America as a sophomore at Michigan State in 2001 and the No. 5 overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft.
Jason, a thunderous dunker, was the 1999 Michigan Mr. Basketball from Saginaw Arthur Hill. He was a freshman on MSU’s 2000 national title team for Tom Izzo’s lone title. He scored nine points off the bench in the championship game win over Florida. Jason was a sophomore the next year when MSU made it back to the Final Four.
Jason, now 44, had a 13-year NBA career, his final season coming in 2014-15 with the Philadelphia 76ers. He averaged 17.1 points per game in 857 games (842 starts) with the Golden State Warriors, Charlotte Hornets, Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic and 76ers.
Jase’s mother, Jackie Paul, played basketball at the University of Colorado-Denver.
Jase’s full name is Jason Anthoney Jase Richardson II.
Jase Richardson stats for 2024-25 season
Richardson carries averages of 12 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game in 32 games (11 starts). He moved into the starting lineup in February.
Richardson has been efficient shooting 51.2% overall, 41.2% from 3-point range (40-for-97) and 84% from the foul line (89-for-106). He has 61 assists to 28 turnovers and 25 steals.
Jase Richardson NBA mock draft projection
He is among the top NBA prospects in the NCAA as a late lottery, mid-first round pick. USA TODAY projected him to go 16th overall in its latest mock draft. ESPN last week had Richardson going No. 12 to the Miami Heat.
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