Richards is living the dream as an NBA prospect

At some point, Jason Richards is supposed to wake up from the dream.

The one where the lightly recruited kid out of Barrington nearly turns Davidson College into one of the biggest Cinderella stories with a trip to basketball's Final Four.

The one where a 6-foot-2 guard finds himself with a future playing in the NBA or for a professional team overseas.

But it's no dream. In fact, it's a story that would make a heck of a reality series.

And no one knows it better than Richards.

"I probably would have laughed at them," Richards said, with a chuckle of course, if people would have predicted this four years ago. "I say the same thing about my shot against Kansas.

"If you told me I'd have a shot with a second left to take a team to the Final Four, I would have laughed at you."

Richards certainly has plenty of reasons to laugh about a whirlwind month where he sparked Davidson's magical run to nearly knocking off NCAA champion Kansas in a regional final.

Two weeks ago, the two-time Daily Herald All-Area pick was in Virginia for the 56th annual Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. Richards was one of 64 college seniors chosen to showcase their skills in the prestigious event before NBA and European professional scouts.

Richards, who led the nation in assists, is also hoping for an invite to the NBA pre-draft camp in late May in Orlando.

"It's crazy," Richards said near the end of a nine-hour drive last Thursday to visit a couple of friends at the University of Michigan. "As a little kid it was always one of my goals. Everyone wants to play in the NBA.

"Now to hear my name in discussions … it's unbelievable."

Davidson's NCAA tournament run made it more believable for Richards.

So did the work of head coach Bob McKillop, who molded Richards from a high school combo guard who averaged more than 20 points a game in the last two of four varsity seasons into a true point guard.

But all-star events such as Portsmouth aren't always the best way for unselfish point guards to showcase their skills.

Richards said he was fortunate to be with a team-oriented group that made for a smooth transition.

"My total mindset was to do the things I've done all year with Davidson," Richards said. "It took one half of the first game (of three) to get adjusted to everyone on our team.

"From there on I felt like I was running the Davidson basketball team."

Richards' defense, shooting and leadership are part of his all-around improvement at Davidson. It's all part of the all-around game he needs to play at the next level.

If that doesn't end up being the NBA, Richards will gladly take his best shot in Europe for a few years.

"I think I did all of the things I needed to play somewhere professionally," Richards said.

And no one's laughing about what seemed improbable just a few years ago for Jason Richards.