Kansas Basketball: 2017 Big Man Targets
By Ryan Noel
Nick Richards – Center – Expressions Elite
Another of the plethora of 7’0″+ centers in the 2017 class, Richards is probably the least developed of the guys we’ve discussed so far. At a legitimate 7’1″, though, he’s also the biggest.
Where Richards might lack some in skill level, he makes up for with athleticism and defensive play. He uses very good timing and elevation to block shots, and shows good hands in going after rebounds. Offensively, he has a ways to go. He doesn’t yet show much post game, aside from very rudimentary hook moves. He is a good finisher in transition, and he gets up quickly for dunks when his guards dump off to him from drives.
Tier 2
While Richards could probably move down to Tier 3 like Mo Bamba, we’ll keep him here in Tier 2 as long as the Kansas basketball staff appears to be actively tracking him at AAU events. Right now, Kentucky is considered the frontrunner and Richards has heard from most of the elite schools on the east coast.
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