St. John's legend Kadary Richmond signs with first NBA team as an undrafted free agent

Billy Heyen

St. John's legend Kadary Richmond signs with first NBA team as an undrafted free agent image

Kadary Richmond was the engine that led St. John's to its best college basketball season in a generation.

It didn't earn him a spot among 59 2025 NBA Draft picks, but it only took a couple minutes after the draft for him to find an NBA home.

Richmond is signing with the Washington Wizards, per insider Chris Haynes.

After beginning his college career at Syracuse, Richmond reached his potential under Rick Pitino with the Johnnies.

He's not a great outside shooter, which could limit his NBA upside, but he does everything else well.

Richmond can distribute, finish at the rim, and dominate opponents as a defender, too.

MORE: Why Lakers made 2 trades to move up and draft sleeper Adou Thiero

He also proved that he can help a program turn things around.

It'll be hard for Richmond to break through as an undrafted player, but the Wizards need guys who impact winning. Richmond proved he impacts winning.

So maybe there's a path in Washington for Richmond. He likely had a lot of options as an UDFA, and he chose the Wizards for a reason. The St. John's star will have a real chance to break through.

MORE NBA DRAFT: 

Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle