Who the hell is this Ryan Richards guy ??
Just found his highlight video on youtube. Hes a scary player at 19 yrs old.
After his performance at the combine, there is no way he gets out of the 1st round. A team is bound to take a shot at this guy, I take him over Daniel Orton, Solomon Alabi, and other projected 1st Round raw C/PF. Add the fact that hes the youngest player in this draft, and way ahead of the learning curve as far as offensive skills as a PF. Does anyone know how long his wingspan is ?
I like that hes super aggressive and super intense, shows that you can't push this guy around down the block, something European players are not known for.
The competition in England may be weak indeed, but regardless, you can see his tools, theres no denying that he looks the part of a "top 15" pick. An NBA ready Body, athleticism that even rivals Derrick Favor's and an inside/outside skills that are way ahead of a 19 year old. The tools are there for teams to look at him in the 1st round.
Yea he is indeed the youngest in the draft, I also heard while watching the combine that hes not sure if hes going to stay in the draft, because if he doesn't get a 1st round grade, he might just work on his game more and enter again next year. Not sure, but hope he stays in this year's draft, more chances for the Warriors to grab a talented C/PF in the 2nd round. I think international players have until June 15th to withdraw their name in the draft.
STOP.
You guys heard of him today and know he's a 1st round pick? STOP. He had a impressive workout. Let me say it again: WORKOUT.
I remember watching Joe Alexander's workouts and people were amazed
I remember watching Marvin Williams' as well, I thought he was going to be a superstar.
WORKOUTS MEAN NOTHING. I want to see some of his games and some info. No way this guy has hidden under the radar this long. I'm interested to see some of his game film. Once we see that, we'll probably discover a flaw and the main reason why he wasn't a 1st round prospect.
Messee? Really? You'd take this guy over Orton, Alabi and other bigs because of one workout? Come on son....
Just my opinion master realsportsnet.com.
And thats what the Combine is for, your going to have guys who come out of no where and become a 1st round prospect. Im pretty sure you follow NFL Draft as well right? Just like the NFL Combine, your going to see guys climb up in the 1st round.
Call Ryan Richards a "workout warrior" if you want, im not saying he is going to be a NBA star, but hes certainly gotten A TON of people's attention. Thats all im saying "son/dun".
Messeee. I didn't mean to rip you man. I'm sorry you thought I put it all on you.
I'm just saying. Workouts is not a good measure of a player. I remember Corey Maggette's "workout"- when ever he failed- He just took his shirt off. lol
Marvin Williams was dropping 360 jams and getting up like LeBron.
Joe Alexander's chin was almost hanging on the rim.
ive played against this guy three or 4 times at U16 level when he was already 6'7''.. Instead of taking the US highschool route which most of the top English talent does, he went to an academy in Gran Canaria, played in a youth tournament for Real Madrid as well as a Nike Hoop Summit event and is now playing in Switzerland.
Its obvious he hasnt played against top level opposition (in comparison to D1 college) as of yet, hes not even been getting much burn on a SWISS team.
Its his upside theyre enamoured with.. 6'10 big body that is fluid and also knocks down a J and a good attitude.. being an unknown is definately working in his favour as many are going out of their way to learn as much as they can about him.
As a Thunder fan, I hope they use their four picks to trade up.
If they don't, I would be happy if they got two or all three of these guys if one slips to the early second round:
Solomon Alabi, Kevin Seraphin, and this Ryan Richards guy.
They're already young and two deep at both guard spots. Their only big men for the future are Green and Ibaka. Just stash Seraphin and Richards in Europe for a year or two. That sounds like something right up Presti's alley.
Ryan Richards was on radars a couple of years back when he was the youngest player ever to play in the Nike Hoop Summit, so this is more a redisovery than a discovery - scroll down a bit on http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Ryan-Richards-1272/
English leagues are really poor but Richards has been playing in Europe for a good few years. There's been some question marks over the advice he's been given here and there, maybe hence a bit of time in the wilderness... but there's no doubting his potential. I believe Real Madrid were after him a while back so he's clearly no mug
oh, and in response query above... I don't know numbers for his wingspan, but I do know it's known for being pretty substantial. That said, whilst he's pretty quick / mobile and definately no slouch athletically, when they do his vertical stats I don't think it's gonna blow anyone away.
He is playing in spain I think
http://www.eurocupbasketball.com/ulebcup/competition/teams/showteam?club...
and always remember that workouts means a lot for international players,the mavs recognized Beabouis and Dirk with their great work out
sure that was in the team's workout but he has opened some eyes
and btw Dirk was playing in German second divison,probably that was the worst international league any player was playing and got drafted,It is more about the type of talent
If Eyenga was able to be in the first round why Ryan Richards won't be able to do that?we are talking about 1st round not lottery ,right?
Richards had never been able to stay in the same team, Gran Canaria, Real Madrid for some months, Mons Hainaut in Belgium, then Switzerland. He was one of the best prospect his age some years ago, which allowed him to enter the hoop summit at age 17 I think. Now he has to get some playing time somewhere to prove what he's worth.
His contract I think is owned by Gran Caneria but he has been playing in Switzerland this season in division 2 which isnt exactly the best league kinda the level of Spainish division 3 maybe worse. Hes a big player and can certainly finish around the rim probably more offensive moves than some of the kids in the draft. Fortunatly he has used his unknowness to make some HYPE around himself. you can find some info about him at www.hoopsfix.com which is a british basketball website.
This kid may have a great body, be athletic, etc... But I'm not falling for it. Why haven't we heard about him before? I've never heard of this kid. How competitive is the league he plays in? Those of you saying he should be drafted in the first round are crazy...
I know a lot of people that'll look good in the workout setting. Come to Indianapolis and watch former Indiana Mr. Basketball and IU player AJ Ratliff workout. You'll be amazed. He's a 6' 3" 195 lb combo guard with a 6' 11" wingspan, 40+ inch vertical and can shoot the hell out of the ball. The sweetest looking stroke ever. Very good handles. Dude was made for the workout setting. However... He does NOT have the mentality to play five on five though. Too passive. Second guesses himself. Lacks confidence. Low IQ. Doesn't always play hard. My point is... We have no idea how this Richards kid looks in five on five.
I'd take a risk on him in the mid 2nd round and leave him overseas to develop.
Im watching the NBA Combine right now on ESPN-U, and a guy name Ryan Richards from England is absolutely tearing it up. 6'10 245lbs and only 19 years old (born in 1991), and already has an NBA body. The guy is athletic as hell for his size, as Im watching him. He looks like the most athletic PF in the combine. Never heard of him until today, anyone know more about him ?