Shortly after Michigan State's Elite Eight loss to Auburn, Jase Richardson decided it was time for him to test the NBA Draft waters. He decided to be Tom Izzo's latest one-and-done prospect.
Before Richardson, Max Christie was the most recent one-and-done to come through East Lansing.
There has been a little hope in the fanbase that Richardson will go the route of Yaxel Lendeborg of Michigan and opt to return for another season despite being projected as a first-round pick. That hope has been dwindling by the day, especially with the withdrawl deadline rapidly approaching.
While Richardson hasn't teased a decision of any sort and it seems like he's dead-set on staying in the NBA Draft, there is always an internal battle, especially with an important deadline looming. He has until midnight on Wednesday to make a decision on his immediate future and choose whether he wants to stay in the draft as a potential top-20 pick or come back for another year and chase an NBA title with his friends.
That's never an easy decision on a young player, especially when he surpassed expectations in one year and didn't expect to have to make this choice yet.
It's likely that Richardson remains in the draft and Michigan State's roster is set for next season with five newcomers and the losses of Jase, Tre Holloman, Jaden Akins, Xavier Booker, Szymon Zapala, Frankie Fidler, and Gehrig Normand. Tom Izzo hit the portal hard to replace some of these guys and the roster seems set, but he would never turn down a Richardson return.
He has less than 10 hours to withdraw.