Illini's Richmond declares for NBA draft
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 Jereme Richmond talks with Mike Davis during an Illinois game Jan. 6. (Chris Sweda/Tribune) |
Back in January, amid rumors that he was considering a transfer, Illinois freshman Jereme Richmond proclaimed himself, "an Illini for life."
It turns out he meant until April.
In a stunning announcement Tuesday, Illinois said Richmond, the former Waukegan star who committed to the program before his freshman year of high school, will declare for the 2011 NBA Draft. The release said Richmond is working out in Chicago and is weighing his options on hiring an agent and he will not return to Illinois.
"I think it's a sad situation," ESPN analyst and former Illini player Stephen Bardo said. "I clearly don't agree with his decision … I think it's a sad situation that a young man with such promise makes a decision like this based on a number of situations that we're not clear on yet.
"But the end result is that he's gone and it's not good for anybody."
In more ways than one, Jereme Richmond represented a reason for optimism to the Illinois basketball program, optimism that was short-lived.
After struggling to land top prospects from the Chicago area, Illini coach Bruce Weber landed Richmond and altered the perception of Illini recruiting in Chicago.
"This is a terrible day for Bruce Weber," Bardo said. "He's tried his career to recruit and he finally got a McDonald's All-American and it turned out like this."
And it was Richmond, Illinois Mr. Basketball in 2010, who had fans excited that Illinois would return to the elite ranks of college basketball.
"This is a big blow because perception today is so important and the perception is before they got Jereme Richmond was that they had trouble recruiting," Bardo said. "That was the perception, they addressed that and all of a sudden, the first kid that really broke through ends up one and done and just burned out, flamed out. It's unfortunate."
Richmond's lone season was mired by struggles on the court and question away from it.
In a tumultuous Illini season, he averaged 7.6 points per game and had 5.0 rebounds in 31 games, earning him a spot on the all Big Ten freshman team, but hardly the stuff of one-and done NBA prospects. Richmond needed more time to develop in college, Bardo said.
"He could be a pro, there's no doubt about it," Bardo said. "It's just not in his best interest to leave right now, nor is it in Illinois' best interest for him to leave."
Richmond will also have to answer for some issues off the court as well that might raise some red flags with NBA teams.
In January, he missed multiple practices for what Illinois called personal reasons and he was suspended for Illinois' two NCAA tournament games for violating athletic department rules. It is unclear if that suspension was related to a fight Richmond was involved in with teammates after Illinois' 60-55 loss to Michigan in the Big Ten tournament on Mar. 11.
Richmond's father, Bill, did not respond to requests for a comment. Neither did Weber. In Illinois' statement, Weber praised Richmond's athletic ability.
"We wish Jereme the best and thank him for all he has meant to the Illinois basketball program, from the time he committed as a high school freshman through his contributions this past season," Weber said.
Illinois assistant coach Jerrance Howard, who is close to Richmond, declined to comment.
Richmond, however, took to Twitter after the announcement was made.
"Thanks to my haters and motivators," Richmond tweeted. "If I so happen to fail, I want my doubters to know that my failure is greater than your biggest success."
The Illini just wish Richmond had more success with them.
It turns out he meant until April.
In a stunning announcement Tuesday, Illinois said Richmond, the former Waukegan star who committed to the program before his freshman year of high school, will declare for the 2011 NBA Draft. The release said Richmond is working out in Chicago and is weighing his options on hiring an agent and he will not return to Illinois.
"I think it's a sad situation," ESPN analyst and former Illini player Stephen Bardo said. "I clearly don't agree with his decision … I think it's a sad situation that a young man with such promise makes a decision like this based on a number of situations that we're not clear on yet.
"But the end result is that he's gone and it's not good for anybody."
In more ways than one, Jereme Richmond represented a reason for optimism to the Illinois basketball program, optimism that was short-lived.
After struggling to land top prospects from the Chicago area, Illini coach Bruce Weber landed Richmond and altered the perception of Illini recruiting in Chicago.
"This is a terrible day for Bruce Weber," Bardo said. "He's tried his career to recruit and he finally got a McDonald's All-American and it turned out like this."
And it was Richmond, Illinois Mr. Basketball in 2010, who had fans excited that Illinois would return to the elite ranks of college basketball.
"This is a big blow because perception today is so important and the perception is before they got Jereme Richmond was that they had trouble recruiting," Bardo said. "That was the perception, they addressed that and all of a sudden, the first kid that really broke through ends up one and done and just burned out, flamed out. It's unfortunate."
Richmond's lone season was mired by struggles on the court and question away from it.
In a tumultuous Illini season, he averaged 7.6 points per game and had 5.0 rebounds in 31 games, earning him a spot on the all Big Ten freshman team, but hardly the stuff of one-and done NBA prospects. Richmond needed more time to develop in college, Bardo said.
"He could be a pro, there's no doubt about it," Bardo said. "It's just not in his best interest to leave right now, nor is it in Illinois' best interest for him to leave."
Richmond will also have to answer for some issues off the court as well that might raise some red flags with NBA teams.
In January, he missed multiple practices for what Illinois called personal reasons and he was suspended for Illinois' two NCAA tournament games for violating athletic department rules. It is unclear if that suspension was related to a fight Richmond was involved in with teammates after Illinois' 60-55 loss to Michigan in the Big Ten tournament on Mar. 11.
Richmond's father, Bill, did not respond to requests for a comment. Neither did Weber. In Illinois' statement, Weber praised Richmond's athletic ability.
"We wish Jereme the best and thank him for all he has meant to the Illinois basketball program, from the time he committed as a high school freshman through his contributions this past season," Weber said.
Illinois assistant coach Jerrance Howard, who is close to Richmond, declined to comment.
Richmond, however, took to Twitter after the announcement was made.
"Thanks to my haters and motivators," Richmond tweeted. "If I so happen to fail, I want my doubters to know that my failure is greater than your biggest success."
The Illini just wish Richmond had more success with them.
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