Mature beyond his years: Jase Richardson’s historic freshman campaign has captivated fans and analysts alike. As the ball swished through the net, the wide-angle shot from Big Ten Network showcased the ecstatic reaction from Michigan State’s bench. Among them, shooting guard Jaden Akins, clad in eye-catching neon pink sneakers, leaped to celebrate, raising one arm triumphantly toward the ceiling.
“Jase did an unbelievable job there in a couple of those stretches,” remarked head coach Tom Izzo during his postgame press conference, following the Spartans’ impressive third straight victory over a ranked opponent, edging them closer to another Big Ten title. Richardson led the team with 15 points and eight rebounds in a game where no other Michigan State player reached double digits in scoring.
The contrast between Richardson, a freshman, making crucial plays while Akins, a senior, cheered from the sidelines, reflects the transformation Michigan State has experienced over recent months. This shift underscores why the Spartans are seen as serious contenders for the Final Four. Akins was expected to lead this season after considering a jump to the NBA, especially after veteran guards Tyson Walker and AJ Hoggard left the program. The former four-star recruit from Farmington, Michigan, had thrived as a secondary scorer in three-guard lineups, but expectations shifted for the 2024-25 season, with him now expected to take charge of a team projected to finish fifth in the Big Ten Preseason Media Poll.
However, from mid-January to early March, Akins struggled with his shooting, hitting only 25.5% of his three-point attempts and averaging more turnovers than assists. This raised concerns about Michigan State’s prospects in the NCAA Tournament. In this challenging period, Richardson, who just turned 19 in October, stepped up with a captivating blend of fearless shot-making and precise ball handling, reigniting hopes for a deep tournament run. Over the last seven games, he has averaged 16 points per contest, taking over Holloman’s starting position and positioning himself to become only the 10th true freshman to average double-digit scoring under Izzo’s leadership.
“I don’t think he gets nervous,” Izzo stated after Richardson scored 21 points in a road victory against then-No. 12 Michigan. “If Michael [Jordan], Larry [Bird], and Magic [Johnson] were in the gym, I don’t think it would faze him. He might not do everything, but his maturity is impressive for his age.”
Jase Richardson, standing at 6-feet-3 and weighing 185 pounds, was a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 32 player in the 2024 recruiting class. His high school career spanned Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas and Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, Florida, where he earned first-team all-state honors as a senior. His recruitment came down to Cincinnati, Alabama, and Michigan State, with the Richardson family visiting all three schools. By choosing to attend his father’s alma mater, Richardson became the highest-rated player in Izzo’s recent recruiting class and the 11th-best prospect the Spartans have signed since the inception of recruiting rankings, according to 247Sports.
His performance aligns with some of the most notable rookie scorers in Michigan State history under Izzo, who has been at the helm since the 1995-96 season. Only nine freshmen have averaged at least 10 points per game during their debut season at Michigan State, making this an elite group that even Richardson’s accomplished father did not join. Shooting at 52% from the field and 39.2% from beyond the arc, Richardson is on track to become the 10th player on this prestigious list. Here’s a glimpse of the names that have achieved this milestone:
- Mateen Cleaves, 10.2 points per game, 1996-97
- Zach Randolph, 10.8 points per game, 2000-01
- Chris Hill, 11.5 points per game, 2001-02
- Raymar Morgan, 11.7 points per game, 2006-07
- Kalin Lucas, 10.3 points per game, 2007-08
- Gary Harris, 12.9 points per game, 2012-13
- Miles Bridges, 16.9 points per game, 2016-17
- Nick Ward, 13.9 points per game, 2016-17
- Jaren Jackson, 10.9 points per game, 2017-18
- Jase Richardson, 11 points per game, 2024-25
While advanced metrics for earlier freshmen seasons are unavailable, the KenPom data for more recent players highlights how exceptional Richardson’s performance has been. His offensive rating of 130.5 surpasses all others on this list, with Chris Hill’s rating of 120 being the closest. His effective field goal percentage of 59.1% ranks him third behind only Hill (61.7%) and Jaren Jackson (59.5%). Remarkably, Richardson achieves this while having the lowest usage rate (18.4%) among his peers, showcasing his incredible efficiency. Hill is the only other freshman scorer with a usage rate below 21%, while others like Morgan, Lucas, Ward, and Bridges exceeded 25%.
What stands out most, however, is Richardson’s ability to rise to the occasion during critical moments. He has shown remarkable poise, hitting key shots when Michigan State needs them most, whether weaving through defenders or nailing shots from long range. He scored 29 points in a comeback victory against Oregon after the Spartans allowed 50 points in the first half. He matched his season-high with three three-pointers in a recent win over Wisconsin, a team many consider one of the conference’s top competitors. Averaging 18 points per game in road victories over Maryland and then-No. 12 Michigan, he has played a crucial role in keeping Izzo’s squad at the top of the Big Ten standings.
As March approaches, Richardson is set to guide Michigan State into the postseason.
“When you get into games like this,” Richardson shared after the victory over the Wolverines, “it’s all about confidence. If you don’t step into these games with confidence, you won’t make the plays you need to. I aim to come in as confident as possible, believing in myself because I know my teammates trust me to make the right plays.”
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