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Friendswood's Chase Richardson (Jr. G)
THE NEXT BIG THING: Friendswood phenom Richardson the latest in a long line of exceptional athletes
So, what makes him special?
Richardson plays with a chip on his shoulder — always has. He’s never been the best player on his AAU team, and that fuels him.I t pushes him to outwork, outthink, and outcompete everyone in the gym.
He lives in the gym, training under the tutelage of TJ Ford, the former Houston high school basketball legend from Willowridge who went on to star at Texas and play 10 seasons in the NBA.
Matt Powell (VYPE)
But there’s more to the Richardson story.
His father, Chad Richardson, was the starting quarterback for Rice University in the 1990s. His mother, Anne, was an All-American hurdler at the University of Wyoming. And his sister, Charlotte, plays soccer at the University of Houston. Get the picture?
Athleticism runs deep in the Richardson bloodline— and Chase is the baby of the bunch. He actually began his athletic career as a left-handed pitcher, which explains his ability to fire pinpoint, full-court passes and throw down thunderous left-handed dunks.
The twist? He shoots right-handed.
“I loved baseball,” he laughed. “But the energy of basketball took over my life. The pace, the crowd, the creativity, the explosiveness —it’s what I love about the game.
“As I got bigger and stronger, I started to get more confident and it began to grow. I’ve always been a leader, and as I become an upperclassman, I will continue to develop that quality even more. It’s great seeing all of this hard work paying off.”
Richardson’s recruiting process is heating up. He’s taken official visits to Notre Dame, SMU, and Iowa, with many more to come. Over the next 18 months, he’ll have his pick of elite programs. As for his on-court inspiration?
“I love Jason Williams,” he said. “The confidence he played with was crazy. He was fearless and broke all the stereotypes. I love the style and flair he played with.”
As Richardson continues to carve out his journey on the hardwood, his blend of work ethic, family lineage, and natural talent make him a can’t-miss prospect — one who’s just getting started.
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