Trail Blazers predraft workout profile: Michigan State guard Jase Richardson one of draft’s best shooters

The Portland Trail Blazers’ predraft workouts have picked up the pace with more high-end prospects starting to visit the team’s Tualatin practice facility. The Oregonian/OregonLive is producing mini profiles on most of the top prospects the Blazers could target in the 2025 NBA draft on June 25-26.

Other posts: Georgia forward Asa Newell; Connecticut forward Liam McNeeley; Illinois forward Will Riley; Saint Joseph’s forward Rasheer Fleming.

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Jase Richardson

Michigan State | 6-0 | Guard | 19

Background: Richardson is the son of former NBA star Jason Richardson, who played 13 seasons in the NBA, six with the Golden State Warriors.

Jase Richardson was a four-star recruit to Michigan State out of Columbus High School in Miami, Florida.

Before moving to Florida, he grew up in Colorado, where he got to know Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, who is from Denver and starred for the Colorado Buffaloes.

“He’s known me since I was five,” Richardson said following Thursday’s workout for the Blazers. “I grew up in Colorado. He’s a Colorado legend to us. So, I played for his AAU program all the way up until eighth grade. He’s always been around.”

2024-25 statistics: As a freshman, Richardson made 15 starts in 36 appearances and averaged 12.1 points and 1.9 assists in 25.3 minutes per game. Richardson shot a healthy 49.3% from the field and 41.2% from three-point range.

A point guard in high school, Richardson played more off the ball for the Spartans, who needed his scoring punch.

Mock drafts: According to most mock drafts, Richardson will likely be selected in the teens. The Blazers have the No. 11 pick.

The Ringer: No. 12, Chicago Bulls.

SBNation.com: No. 15, Oklahoma City Thunder.

YahooSports.com: No. 16, Orlando Magic.

HoopsHype.com: No. 17, Minnesota Timberwolves.

Bleacher Report: No. 19, Brooklyn Nets.

CBSSports.com: No. 19, Milwaukee Bucks.

USA Today: No. 20, Miami Heat.

NBADraft.Net: No. 32, Boston Celtics.

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Strengths: A lack of ideal size hurts Richardson. MSU listed him at 6-3, which was proven untrue at the combine. However, he makes up for being 6-1 with elite shooting, great touch around the basket, excelling in the pick-and-roll, knocking down the mid-range jumper and displaying savvy as a shot creator.

Richardson, who said he models his game after Minnesota point guard Mike Conley Jr., is especially dangerous on catch-and-shoot threes, sinking them at a 45.7% clip last season.

Richardson said his goal is to show NBA teams he can play point guard.

“For me, there’s a lot of questions about what position I’ll probably play at the next level,” Richardson said. “Playing at Michigan State, I was a two because coach wanted me to score. But just showing teams I could play point guard and facilitate.”

Weaknesses: Richardson was shorted in the height and explosion departments, given that his father won the NBA Dunk Contest in 2002 and 2003.

At 6-1, Richardson could be hard-pressed to survive on defense, but is committed to proving to NBA teams that he can hold his own against larger players, much like Conley has done during his 18-year career.

Richardson’s point guard skills also need work. According to mock drafts, he didn’t blow people away with his floor leadership or playmaking skills, averaging just 1.9 assists.

However, again, he was asked to operate more as a scorer than a facilitator.

Fit with Blazers: Not great. The Blazers already have a combo guard in 6-3 Anfernee Simons. Even if he is traded, the Blazers wouldn’t be wise to add a 6-1 guard to backup 6-3 point guard Scoot Henderson.

Yes, the Blazers need shooting, but not at the expense of size and someone who can be disruptive on defense. Richardson might very well become the next Conley, the No. 4 pick in the 2007 draft, but that will take time.

As mentioned in previous predraft posts, the Blazers have entered win-now mode. Richardson probably wouldn’t warrant minutes over a veteran shooter that could be acquired via trade or free agency.

Richardson said his father and Billups advised him to enjoy the predraft process while navigating the upcoming grind. The Blazers were his first stop. He called the workout “super fun,” filled with physicality and trash-talking.

“That competitiveness today was amazing,” Richardson said.

-- Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)