Malachi Richardson’s post-Syracuse career hasn’t changed him
Daily Orange File Photo
Malachi Richardson was selected in the NBA Draft after one year at Syracuse, and now he's just focused on his play for Toronto and being a dad.
NEW YORK — During his lone season in central New York, Malachi Richardson always went to Nick’s Barbershop in North Syracuse. He got the same cut every time: a slight fade. He asked his barber then what he’s been asking since the 10th grade, and what’s he’s asked for in the two years since leaving Syracuse for the NBA: shave the sides, leave the top untouched.
There are a number of ways to understand Richardson, who, on Saturday night in Brooklyn, watched as Boeheim’s Army won its first game in The Basketball Tournament. This is because Richardson is at once shy and assertive. Sometimes while at Syracuse, he’d get a bad call and the whole venue would scream. He’d just hand the ball to the referee. Other times, he’d erupt after a made 3-pointer or dunk and raise his arms to signal for the crowd to stand up.
But surely one way to appreciate him — how he thinks and goes about his sport and life — is as a man defined by what’s on top of his head. On Saturday, he wore the same haircut that he wore at Trenton Catholic (New Jersey) Academy and SU. He said his hair is what differentiates himself. It’s a defining characteristic that hasn’t changed since he emerged as a potent weapon during Syracuse’s Final Four run in 2016. Richardson, himself, hasn’t changed either.
“Everything’s the same,” he said.
Richardson, a 6-foot-6 guard, boosted the Orange into the Final Four with a 21-point, 20-minute outburst against Virginia. Head coach Jim Boeheim’s wife, Juli, called him a “Gift from God.” The performance alone sent him from under-the-radar freshman to surefire first-rounder.
He considered staying for a second season at SU, Boeheim said, but ended up entering the draft and was picked No. 22 overall by the Charlotte Hornets. His rights were later traded to the Sacramento Kings. During his first season, he suffered an injury and had multiple assignments with the Kings’ G League squad.
He made four starts for the Kings last season, but was traded to the Toronto Raptors in February and spent most of the rest of the season with the team’s G League affiliate. Two years remain on his rookie contract, with a team option for the 2019-20 season that Toronto must decide to exercise in October. That gave greater meaning to this summer, and the importance of showing the organization that he can play at the highest level.
To help him realize his dream of playing in the NBA regularly, Richardson, 22, is living and working out in Philadelphia with Eric Evans, the brother of Indiana Pacers shooting guard Tyreke Evans. Eric, known as Pooh, played guard at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania and used to help Tyreke develop his jab step and ball handling.
Richardson wakes up at 10 a.m. and works out two to three times per day, from the basketball gym to the weight room and back again. He doesn’t snack on junk. Philly cheesesteaks are “way off the diet,” he said.
The shooting guard said he has not been to Syracuse since leaving after his freshman season. He stays in touch with Mike Hopkins, former SU associate head coach and current Washington head coach, more than anyone. Otherwise, he wants to expand his game, improve his jumper and, above all, prove to the Raptors that he can play at the NBA level.
Driven by his family, Richardson is also focusing on being a father. His newborn, Kody, was born April 15. Kody’s mother, Emily, was sitting with Richardson on Saturday. He said that between workouts, all he wants to do is be dad.
“That’s been my main focus,” he said. “I want to take care of him for the rest of my life.”
Richardson has spent the last two years unsure of exactly where he stands, splitting time between the NBA and the G League. It’s unclear whether Toronto will exercise its team option. There’s no telling if, or when, he’ll make another NBA start or even appearance. But for him, what’s clear and visible in the future is just being himself.
In this moment, that means shaving the sides and leaving the top untouched.
“A lot of people notice me because of my hair,” he said, “because it’s a great representation for me and who I am.”
Published on July 22, 2018 at 8:53 am
Contact Matthew: mguti100@syr.edu | @MatthewGut21
