From DraftExpress:

Richmond led his Rising Stars Gold team to the championship game of the King James Classic before falling to Boston based B.A.B.C. Despite the relatively modest numbers posted throughout the tournament (averaged around 12 points per game in the 3 games we took in), it was easy to see why recruiting analysts consider him a top 10 player in his class.

Standing a legit 6’6 and blessed with long arms, he already owns a physical package that not many college seniors can offer. Throw in a frame that could easily add another 20 pounds and a very strong lower body, and it’s easy to see why he stands apart from the bulk of other wings in the class of 2010. The Illini commit was forced to play out of position for a large part of the tournament, playing power forward for much of the time that we observed him in Akron due to his squad‘s lack of size. However, there were spurts of time where he played on the wing and we were able to get a glimpse of the special player he has the potential to become.

The first thing that immediately stood out about Jereme is his outstanding athleticism, especially his ability to finish around the rim. His undeveloped upper body is compensated by his strong legs and explosive leaping ability from a static position, a rarity from a player so young. This power enabled him to finish nearly everything around the rim, whether it be from his own drives to the cup or putbacks from crashing the offensive glass. Not only one to score in the paint, he also showed off a silky smooth jumper out to the three point line and an explosive first step when attacking the rim. The tools boasted by the lanky wing backed up the herald he has received thus far at such a young age.

Like many young players, Richmond’s ball handling could use a bit of work. He didn’t put the ball on the floor more than a few times in a straight line and looked a bit uncomfortable when pressured with the ball in his hands. Consistency issues have also plagued Jereme in the past, especially on the defensive side of the court. While all of the natural tools are there for him to be a very nice defender, he often looks disinterested on this end and relies completely on his athleticism.

More concerning then his weaknesses on the court are those unrelated to the game of basketball. Richmond was thrown off his high school team in February after having a heated argument with his head coach, which was reportedly one of many incidents involving this talented youngster. These issues will ultimately prove to be more crucial then Jereme’s game on court game, but Michael Beasley has shown that talented players with consistency and character issues can turn things around when placed in the right situations. Having just turned 16 years old, time is certainly on Richmond’s side but he will definitely need to resolve problems if he hopes to live up to the star billing that has preceded him thus far.

 

From the Lake-County News Sun:

Rising Stars took the game courtesy of a Richmond steal and assist on the winning basket.

The closing flourish by Waukegan’s star player came in a game where he scored zero points and attempted one shot.

“It really doesn’t matter,” Richmond said afterward. “Our team won.”

The Illini-bound sophomore said he’s using the AAU season to work on his “mid-range game.”

AAU ball is where Richmond made his mark.

 

King James - Sunday

April 29, 2008

From Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting:

The Rising Stars struggled offensively as the team’s three top scorers combined for just 23 points. Notre Dame commitment Jack Cooley led the way with 12 points and eight rebounds.

Illinois commitment Jereme Richmond scored seven points on three of 12 shooting. Nik Garcia added eight points. He didn’t have his usual hot hand on the wing, hitting just two of nine from deep. Marcus Jordan scored eight points in the defeat.

 

From the Chicago Sun Times:

According to Schmidt, both Head and Waukegan’s Jereme Richmond are likely to wind up in the national top ten when rankings are released this summer, which is a first for the state of Illinois. Not even the 1998 class, with Frank Williams, Corey Mageette, Quentin Richardson and Bobby Simmons could boast two top ten players.

“It’s the next great class in state history, there is no doubt about that,” Schmidt said. “There is depth at every position.”

Illinois fans will be please to hear that Richmond’s recent stints of disgruntled on-court demeanor seem to have passed.

“Richmond carried himself very well,” Schmidt said. “He’s a totally different player in the AAU setting as opposed to the high school setting. At this point I’m not sure why that is.”

 

Kingwood: Day One

April 22, 2008

From Orange & Blue News:

The Rising Stars’ top prospect Jereme Richmond had moments of brilliance but couldn’t put together a dominating performance. Most of his buckets came off pull up jumpers off a ball screen. Finishing with eight points, Richmond is, nonetheless, one of the elite talents in the class of 2010.

 

From the Lake-County News Sun:

Addressed to the parents of Waukegan High sophomore Jereme Richmond, the contents spelled out that because the 15-year-old violated the school’s Code of Ethics for a second time (the first time involved fighting with a teammate back in November that got Richmond a three-game suspension), that the nation’s No. 2-ranked sophomore basketball player was, effective immediately, kicked off the Bulldogs’ basketball team.

But first, let’s try and run through the chronology of last Thursday night/Friday that resulted in Richmond’s dismissal from the team.

n On the court Thursday night, Waukegan lost 57-55 to Loyola in the regular-season finale in a game the Bulldogs definitely could have won.

n In the locker room after the game, there was a confrontation between Richmond and first-year coach Ron Ashlaw.

When contacted over the weekend, Ron said he wouldn’t describe the discussion as a “blowout,” but more a matter of Richmond “questioning the play-calling, and placing the blame solely on my shoulders for the Loyola loss.”

According to sources, at some point, Richmond was told by Ashlaw to turn in his uniform, and he agreed.

He’s also a lot like other 15-year-olds in that he likes to push the envelope, and see how far he can move it … especially when the topic is something in which he’s well-versed — in this case, basketball.

Thursday night’s disagreement with his coach in the locker room wasn’t the first disagreement with his coach in a locker room following a game this season.

Sources have suggested there have been a half-dozen post-game “discussions” between star player and coach.

 

Recruit Watch

February 20, 2008

From the Chicago Sun Times:

Richmond had 20 points and 12 rebounds in a loss to New Trier and had 17 points, eight rebounds in a loss to Oak Park. Waukegan has games against Maine East and Loyola this week.

 

This is more like it

February 20, 2008

From the Lake County News Sun:

With Jereme Richmond coming up huge in crunch time and four players scoring in double figures, Waukegan High’s boys basketball team beat highly regarded Maine East 62-52 in Park Ridge on Tuesday night in a non-conference game.

The win evened the Bulldogs’ record at 12-12 heading into Thursday’s tough game at powerful Loyola.

Richmond had just four points in the first three quarters, but scored 12 of the Bulldogs’ last 15 points after Maine East pulled within 47-46 with 5:45 remaining. Richmond also hit six straight free throws down the stretch.

“Play hard … be aggressive,” is what Waukegan coach Ron Ashlaw said he wanted from his players this week.

 

From ChicagoSports.com:

Richmond laughs when asked if there’s any chance he could pull an Eric Gordon on the Illini. Gordon reneged on his commitment and wound up at Indiana.

“That’s not going to happen,” said Richmond, rated the nation’s No. 2 sophomore by recruiting analyst Van Coleman. “And that’s nothing against Eric Gordon. He did what he felt was best for him, and I can respect that.

“I’m even more excited about my commitment (last year) to Illinois after seeing all the top recruits they are getting. (Juniors) Brandon Paul (of Warren) and D.J. Richardson (Peoria Central) are guys I know pretty well.

“Then you’ve got 6-9 Stan Simpson (Simeon senior) and also Joseph Bertrand (Sterling junior). Man, I almost forgot about Crandall Head (of Rich South, ranked by some the No. 2 sophomore in the state behind Richmond).”

 

From the Chicago Sun Times:

“We started out slow because of some behavior issues [Richmond was suspended for fighting and missed the Bulldogs’ first three games],” Richmond said. “Throughout the course of the season every team has ups and downs. I think we’re really starting to come together.”

According to event promoter Bob Rylko, 27 players in the 13-year history of the City-Suburban Showdown have gone on to play in the NBA, a subject that is clearly on Richmond’s mind.

During the press conference, the 6-6 sophomore repeatedly referred to his “one-year” at Illinois — which is probably interesting news for Illini coach Bruce Weber.

 

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