One game into his NBA career, albeit preseason play, Jase Richardson is already turning heads.
The one-and-done Spartan guard spent his freshman season at Michigan State defying all the odds and exceeding expectations. He came in as a four-star guard, expected to contribute as the second or third guy off the bench, but he ended up being the team’s best player.
It wasn’t instant stardom for Richardson, however. It took him a little time to really grow into that star role, and then when he did, he never turned back — the Oregon game was really the start of his rise.
Richardson played himself into an NBA draft pick, and some even saw him getting selected as high as the lottery. Unfortunately, he fell on draft night all the way to the Orlando Magic at No. 25.
That pick might end up being the steal of the draft, especially if you watched his first NBA preseason game over the weekend. He led Orlando in scoring and looked like a future star.
How good was he? Well, his Magic teammates are already raving about him.
Glowing reviews of #Magic rookie Jase Richardson from his new Orlando teammates on Instagram following his NBA preseason debut:
— Jason Beede (@therealBeede) October 5, 2025
Anthony Black: “tempoooo 🎯”
Jalen Suggs: “very ethical hoops 🍊”
Desmond Bane: “One of them ones”
Paolo Banchero: “yeah Jr” pic.twitter.com/faN1MsOtBE
Anthony Black, Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, and Paolo Banchero all commented on his Instagram post with rave reviews of his play in the preseason opener. Bane replied with “one of them ones” and Suggs said “very ethical hoops”.
Not only is Richardson comfortable already at the NBA level, but it’s clear that his teammates have accepted and embraced him.
Everyone’s going to want stock in Richardson soon enough.