Jase Richardson will try to add to father's legacy with Michigan State basketball
By Kaleb Kraus
![Columbus Explorers guard Jase Richardson (4) goes for a lay up as Archbishop Ryan Raiders center Thomas Sorber tries to block it during the first quarter of a game during the 50th annual City of Palms Classic at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. Columbus Explorers guard Jase Richardson (4) goes for a lay up as Archbishop Ryan Raiders center Thomas Sorber tries to block it during the first quarter of a game during the 50th annual City of Palms Classic at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4728,h_2659,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/137/01hz0abxq4yem36j17t2.jpg)
Michigan State Basketball and Tom Izzo had a special talent with the last name Richardson in the fall of 1999. That was Jason Richardson, who went on to become a very memorable player in the green and white.
Jason was a freshman on the 2000 National Championship team, where he was primarily a background figure, who liked to showcase his dunking ability.
In his second and final season in East Lansing, Richardson rose to fame quickly as he become one of the key pieces in taking the Spartans to a third-straight final four, and a No. 1 overall seed.
His two seasons playing for Izzo, led to an impressive NBA career, as Richardson was selected fifth overall by the Golden State Warriors, and went on to win back-to-back NBA dunk contests in 2002 and 2003.
A strong 14-year NBA career is nothing to be disappointed about, and to think he is still one of the most memorable players to play at Michigan State is remarkable. He made the No. 23 famous long before Draymond Green did.
Now almost 25 years later, his son Jase will be following in his dad's footsteps.
Jase doesn't quite have the height of his dad, who was more of a wing. Jase might not have the height of his dad, but he has shown he has Jason's hops.
Richardson showed off during the Chipotle Nationals back in April.
@LeagueRDY shared a video of Jase's highlights on X.
Michigan State commit Jase Richardson impacted the game in a variety of ways en route to Columbus taking down LuHi 71-58 👏 #ChipotleNationals pic.twitter.com/JnTZZo1Fl4
— League Ready (@LeagueRDY) April 4, 2024
His dad built a strong legacy, and their have been plenty of other famous NBA players whose sons haven't quite lived up to it.
Something feels different about Jase, however, as he was destined to play for Michigan State.
Jason is a player I have fond childhood memories of watching play for Michigan State. So now to see his son Jase also play for Izzo all these years later will bring back some of those fond memories.
I cannot wait to see the Richardson name on the back of a Spartan jersey again.