[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/cbsports-illinis-richmond-declares-for-nba-draft-20110405,0,4658309.story

Back in January, amid rumors that he was considering a transfer, Illinois freshman Jereme Richmond proclaimed himself, “an Illini for life.”

It turns out he meant until April.

On Tuesday, Illinois announced that Richmond, who committed to the program before his freshman year of high school, will declare for the 2011 NBA Draft and will not return to Illinois.

“I enjoyed my time at the University of Illinois and would like to thank the coaching staff and my teammates for everything they’ve done for me,” Richmond said in a statement released by the school. “At this time, I’m ready to follow my dreams and achieve my life-long goal of playing in the NBA.”

Richmond hardly had the type of year that characterizes a typical one-and-done player. He averaged 7.6 points per game and had 5.0 rebounds in 31 games. He did, however, earn a spot on the all Big Ten freshman team.

But Richmond also will have to answer for some issues off the court as well that might raise some red flags with NBA teams. In January, he missed multiple practices for what Illinois called “personal reasons” and he missed Illinois two NCAA tournament games for violating athletic department rules. It is unclear if that suspension was related to a fight Richmond was involved in with teammates after Illinois’ 60-55 loss to Michigan in the Big Ten tournament on Mar. 11.

“Jereme is an extremely talented player who helped us at nearly every position,” Weber said in the statement. “His versatility and ability to impact the game in a number of different areas are skills that will help him greatly as he pursues his dream of playing professional basketball. We wish Jereme the best and thank him for all he has meant to the Illinois basketball program, from the time he committed as a high school freshman through his contributions this past season.”

[HaleParticipant]

Good luck, horrible decision but hopefully it works out.

[knicksfan7Participant]

BTPH,

 

Do you think he is doing this because he doesn’t want to sit out a transfer year, and could not get along with the coaching staff and/or players. I find that there is something within that the public won’t know about. You don’t declare after doing relatively nothing in your college career.

[HaleParticipant]

Daniel Orton did, not trying to be a jerk, just saying he didn’t do anything either.

[knicksfan7Participant]

Daniel Orton was not the stud of a recruiting class, Richmond was. Orton wasn’t even a Calipari guy. Your comparison is apples to oranges.

[BKKnicksfanParticipant]

Daniel Orton was highly regarded though.

I agree, If I was Richmond, go transfer and play 2-3 seasons man.

[D-Rose1Participant]

Comparing Daniel Orton declaring to Jereme Richmond declaring is not apples to oranges. You posted before, "you dont declare after doing relatively nothing in your college career". Well, I think that explains Daniel Orton perfectly as well. Orton did absolutely nothing in college, yet declared just like Richmond is doing now. So there is definite similarities to the comparison. 

[moochieeParticipant]

In a weak draft like this where a lot of the talent is going back to school, it might actually be a good choice

[knicksfan7Participant]

I mean the situation is apples to oranges because had Orton stayed at UK he still wouldn’t of played significant minutes since he is not a Calipari recruit. While, Richmond was Weber’s prized recruit and was going to get more minutes his sophomore season. Sorry if I was unclear.

[BKKnicksfanParticipant]

It’s cool, but you don’t think Orton gets PT on this recent UK team? I disagree. I would go as far as saying he’d start this season for UK if he was there.

[knicksfan7Participant]

Your point is moot b/c I don’t think Calipari would have wanted Orton to stay for his sophomore season becuase he was not his guy.

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

It was made public that he got in an altercation with a teammate after the loss to Michigan in the Big Ten tournament. He was suspended for the two NCAA games. It was also made public that he was getting on his teammates’ nerves leading up to the time he left the team and missed the Wisconsin game. The guy isn’t talented enough to be this immature and still be in the NBA. The NBDL might do him some well. There is coaching in that league, and it is a humbling experience for guys. He has ability, but he needs a dose of reality. This was a kid who committed to college while in junior high and was as entitled as they come. He isn’t good enough to be an idiot, and that is what $350 per week in Fargo tells people.

http://www.dailyregister.com/sports/big_10/x1161121687/Status-of-Jereme-Richmond-still-up-in-the-air

TULSA, Okla. — Illinois coach Bruce Weber did nothing Saturday to hint that freshman forward Jereme Richmond would play when No. 9 Illinois meets No. 1 Kansas today in the NCAA tournament with a berth in the Southwest Region semifinals on the line.

Quizzed about Richmond’s status, Weber wouldn’t divulge if a decision had already been made after Richmond dressed but didn’t play in the 73-62 win over No. 8 UNLV on Friday. Richmond did practice during the closed-door workout Saturday.

"The situation is a tough one,” Weber said. "We’ll talk about it and make an announcement (Sunday).”

A source said Richmond was involved in a scuffle in the locker room after the loss to Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament. Illinois said the suspension was for a violation of team rules, and despite the program’s first win in the NCAA tournament since 2006, the Illini were dealing with the distraction caused by Richmond.

"When he first came in, he was kind of arrogant,” Davis said. "He’s gotten better. He’s grown up and matured. I wouldn’t trade him. Jereme is our brother.”

Otherwise, Weber will seek contributions from guards D.J. Richardson and Crandall Head comparable to Friday, and sophomore forward Tyler Griffey would likely play a role in defending the Kansas big men, Weber said. Freshman center Meyers Leonard is battling a sinus infection, the flu and a problem with his balance from inner ear issues.

"Their bench is pretty good,” Weber said. "Our bench has to rise up and be solid.”

Richardson’s minutes tumbled as he suffered through 35-percent shooting in conference play, but he scored 10 points on a 4-for-4 night against UNLV. He buried 3-pointers on consecutive posssessions to chill a second-half run by the Rebels.

"We’ve been kind of adding a piece back to the team each week because we had some slumps there in January and February,” said Illini forward Bill Cole. "It looks like we even got D.J. back last night.”

Head logged 15 minutes, finished with four points and one turnover and looked unfazed by the NCAA pressure. He also looked like his brother, Luther, according to Kansas coach Bill Self.

"I called Luther multiple times to try to talk about Crandall,” Self said. "He never once returned my phone call. All that should tell Illniois people there was no way he was going anywhere else.”

Griffey didn’t play meaningful minutes against UNLV because of his inability to guard on the perimeter, Weber said, and the Rebels’ small-ball lineup was a bad matchup. The Illini gave Leonard a try even though he’s been battling illness all week.

[HaleParticipant]

I think what he means is that Richmond was the top guy of his team recruits and Orton was like 5th. Plus the coaching difference.

[Dale WorthingtonParticipant]

Illinois needs to fire Bruce Weber. He is a terrible coach.

[D-Rose1Participant]

 I understand what knicksboy is saying now even though I think Orton would have played this year for UK. They needed help down low so he would have played and Liggins and Miller werent Calipari recruits but he still played them a ton.

@yupyup I think Im a little confused. I dont see what Richmond being the schools top recruit and Orton being like 5th has to do with their decisions to go pro. I think that is pretty irrelevant actually. I might just be confused by what you are trying to say though.

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

"Illinois needs to fire Bruce Weber. He is a terrible coach."

Illinois is looking at a returning roster of Crandall Head, D.J. Richardson, Brandon Paul, Tyler Griffey, Myles Leonard, Jean Selus, Joseph Bertrand, and Kevin Berardini. They might have a transfer from Bradley end up being their starting point guard. Their incoming freshmen better be ready to contribute or Weber might end up getting fired.

The other thing hanging over Weber is whether Demetri McCamey and Richmond get drafted. He could be headed to the land of Paul Hewitt and Dino Gaudio if the NBA sends a clear signal that they believe that they can get more out of players at a higher level than Weber was able to at Illinois.

[HaleParticipant]

It posted for me extremely late, I was responding to BKKnicksFan’s first post.

[knicksfan7Participant]

I agree with BTPH, but I don’t see Weber going that deep. I think Weber next 2-3 seasons will determine a lot. If he gets Illinois to the sweet sixteen within the next year or two he will be fine. Honestly, it pains me Illinois had a 2nd round exit considering the talent that team had. I really believed they would have been a 4 or 5 seed going to at least the sweet sixteen, or a darkhorse final four team.

[OnionsParticipant]

Where in the draft do you guys see him going?

[OnionsParticipant]

Where in the draft do you guys see him going?

[ilike.panochasParticipant]

Perhaps in the late 1st Round, an NBA contender might take a shot at his upside and let him sit and learn, but most likely in the early 2nd round.

[The lake show2]

The difference is Orton is a big man and they are always valued, on top of there was talk of him being a first round pick. Richmond on the other hand is a raw wing player which there are a dime a dozen of those. Very bad decision

[scoutguruParticipant]

 Agree quincey, big guys are always valued commodities in the league. Thats why a team would be willing to take a shot on him in the late 1st, hoping he could develop at the least into a garbage man who could block some shots. Wings who’ve haven’t proven anything in school like Richmond don’t have that liberty to throw his name in after a year that was very underwhelming (in terms of nba stock), and still have a shot to be sniffed in the 1st round. 

[MagikKnickParticipant]

 Worst Decision: Jereme Richmond or Tommy Mason-Griffin?

…in terms of draft stock/position..TMG is a better comparison than Orton..

[ilike.panochasParticipant]

But Mason-Griffin had limited upside to begin with, he was an unatheltic 5’11 scoring PG, at best he would have been Sharon Collins in college had he stayed longer.

[ProudGrandpaParticipant]

^That was MagicKnick’s first post in almost 6 months and his only one since.  Why the hit-and-run?

[cward23Participant]

Looks bad for him as well in a lock out year

[cward23Participant]

Looks bad for him as well in a lock out year

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