King James - Saturday

April 29, 2008

From Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting:

For the second straight weekend, D.J. Richardson is playing at a high level.

Richardson has mastered the baseline floater and goes to it often. On three straight possessions, Richardson scored with the floater, hit a mid range shot off the glass and converted a pair of free throws. Late in the second half, he hit a lay-up, nailed a floater and buried a three-pointer. The future Illinois guard has a variety of moves to go to as a scorer. The Warriors have had great success because of his ability to score points in so many ways.

Richardson has great chemistry with backcourt mate Darius Smith, who continues to shine on the big stage. The 6-foot-1 point guard has a great feel with the ball in his hands. His speed with the ball in his hands is one of his best strengths and he knives through the defense with few problems. Smith is a great ball-handler and a strong defender. A shooter he’s not but he’s solid in nearly everything else. For a class where the point guards are still trying to find it’s collective voice, Smith’s call has been heard in April.

Winning in overtime against Richardson and Smith was a hard fought battle for the Kansas State bound duo of Wally Judge and Rodney McGruder.

 

King James Top Performers

April 29, 2008

From the Orange & Blue News:

There might not be a guard in the country that has made the incline over the last three weeks like the future Illinois guard. Richardson and his Warriors teammates quietly went 2-1 in pool play at the Boo Williams event to start the month and were bounced out in the first round of the playoffs. In Arkansas, the tables turned and the team lost in overtime in the championship game to Team Breakdown.

Last weekend in Akron, Richardson capped off a big April with another strong weekend before losing in overtime to the D.C. Assault team. Richardson was the best scorer in the 17 and under division that we saw all weekend.

His baseline floater is a favorite go-to move and he scored with it time and time again. He showed all the facets of his offensive game at the King James, scoring with his go-to but also showed his touch from the wing. Richardson’s spring production has been strong and he clearly understands the value of consistency.

 

From Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting:

Illinois bound wing D.J. Richardson has a pretty-looking jumper. The 6-foot-4 guard has a good, quick release and can really get the ball out of his hands in a hurry.

 

From ChicagoSports.com:

Bertrand had 28 points in winning his head-to-head showdown with Richardson (20 points, nine rebounds) as Sterling (9-0) topped Peoria Central 57-51.

“D.J. is a good player, and I’m looking forward to playing with him at Illinois,” Bertrand said. “It’s exciting with all the good players coming here like Brandon and Jereme.”