Malachi Richardson won’t play in 5-on-5 at NBA Combine

CHICAGO — Malachi Richardson’s draft stock appears to be on the rise on the eve of the NBA Draft Combine.

Malachi Richardson will not participate in the NBA Combine 5 on 5 games (wasn’t required to by NBA). Will only do drills. Good sign for him.
– Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 11, 2016

Richardson, projected at No. 53 by DraftExpress.com, has not formally hired an agent, but it looks increasingly like the 6-foot-6 Trenton, N.J., native will be gone to the NBA Draft. He can return to campus for his sophomore season if he doesn’t formally sign with an agent.

“With the new rules, it’s an opportunity for Malachi to get a better understanding of where he would be in the draft,” Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said when Richardson first announced his plans.

Richardson averaged 13.4 points and 4.3 rebounds for a team that reached the Final Four.

NAdam Zagoria

Written by Adam Zagoria

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Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle. A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.