The 2025 NBA Draft marked a significant milestone for both Jase Richardson and the Orlando Magic. With the 25th overall pick, the Magic selected the explosive guard out of Michigan State, bringing a fresh spark to their evolving roster. Richardson, the son of former NBA high-flyer Jason Richardson, enters the league not just as a legacy, but as a standout talent with his own identity, ready to carve his path in the pros. For a Magic team that has made significant strides toward playoff relevance in the Eastern Conference, the selection of Richardson is another step forward in their long-term vision—a calculated blend of athleticism, youth, and high-character development.
Jase Richardson made waves during his time at Michigan State, where he quickly established himself as a two-way guard capable of influencing the game on multiple levels. In his lone season under coach Tom Izzo, Richardson averaged 15.8 points, 4.6 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game. He showcased an impressive mix of speed, court vision, perimeter defense, and scoring flair. What stood out most was his explosiveness—his ability to blow by defenders, finish at the rim with creativity, and generate momentum plays with sheer athleticism. Much like his father, he plays with flair and confidence, but there’s also a layer of maturity in his approach that sets him apart from many of his peers.
For the Orlando Magic, adding Richardson fills both a present and future need. The franchise has built a promising young core around Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs, along with contributors like Anthony Black and Wendell Carter Jr. But one area that has remained in flux is the backcourt, especially in terms of consistent playmaking and secondary scoring. Richardson provides a solution—he’s a dynamic combo guard who can function as a ball handler, a slasher, and a scoring threat in transition. His skill set complements the pieces already in place and gives the Magic another weapon as they continue to climb the standings in the Eastern Conference.
What makes Richardson particularly valuable is his versatility. While he’s capable of playing either guard position, his ability to read the game and adapt to different roles makes him highly malleable. He can be a lead guard in second units or share the floor with ball-dominant players in the starting lineup without disrupting offensive flow. At Michigan State, he thrived both as a facilitator and as a scorer. His passing improved throughout the season, especially in pick-and-roll situations, where he demonstrated an advanced feel for timing, angles, and reading defenses. He also showed a willingness to make the extra pass, often prioritizing ball movement over personal stats.
On the defensive end, Richardson plays with intensity and intelligence. His quick hands, lateral speed, and anticipation make him a strong on-ball defender. He embraces physicality and rarely backs down from matchups, even against bigger guards. His instincts on defense were a hallmark of his collegiate game, and he often turned defense into offense by generating steals and pushing the tempo. In transition, he’s at his best—an open-court threat who can either take it coast to coast or find the trailer with precision. This is an area where Orlando can benefit immediately, especially as they continue to play a fast-paced, defensive-minded brand of basketball.
Beyond the tangible skills, Richardson brings an intangible benefit to the Magic: pedigree. As the son of a two-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion and 14-year NBA veteran, Jase grew up around the game. He understands the demands of the league, the work ethic required, and the discipline it takes to stay consistent. That background has instilled in him a professional mindset. He’s not overwhelmed by the spotlight or the stage. Instead, he appears grounded, composed, and ready to put in the work. In interviews and behind the scenes, coaches and teammates describe him as humble, focused, and eager to learn—all traits that bode well for his transition to the next level.
Orlando’s decision to draft Richardson also reflects their growing confidence in their developmental infrastructure. Over the past few seasons, the Magic have quietly become one of the better teams in the league at nurturing young talent. Players like Banchero and Wagner have thrived under Orlando’s guidance, showing significant growth year to year. The addition of Richardson to this environment sets the stage for another success story. With strong mentorship, a structured system, and a clear developmental plan, he has a realistic pathway to becoming a starting-caliber guard or a high-level sixth man.
Richardson’s fit within the team’s ecosystem is particularly exciting when imagining potential lineups. He can share the floor with Jalen Suggs to form a gritty, athletic defensive duo or run pick-and-roll sets with Paolo Banchero, allowing Orlando to create mismatches and exploit defenses with pace and movement. He could also work well alongside Franz Wagner, spacing the floor, slashing off the ball, and making timely cuts. Given his improving three-point shot—he shot 36% from beyond the arc in college—he offers spacing and shooting potential that helps address one of Orlando’s lingering weaknesses.
But as promising as Richardson is, there will naturally be challenges. Like most rookies, he’ll have to adjust to the NBA’s speed, physicality, and depth of talent. Turnovers were an occasional issue in college when he tried to force plays, and his decision-making in half-court sets will need refinement. His shooting consistency, while improving, still requires work to become a reliable weapon at the NBA level. These aren’t red flags—they’re the expected growing pains of a young guard. The good news is that Richardson has shown a willingness to accept feedback and improve. His trajectory points upward, and his flaws are correctable through experience and coaching.
In many ways, Richardson represents the modern NBA guard. He’s athletic, smart, and unafraid of the moment. He brings energy, scoring, and defensive effort. But he’s also more than just a set of physical tools—he brings a calm understanding of the game, a balance between patience and aggression, and the drive to forge his own legacy. The comparisons to his father are inevitable, especially given the shared name and playing style, but Jase isn’t looking to mimic a past era. He’s bringing something new—an updated version of athletic guard play grounded in versatility, efficiency, and competitiveness.
The Orlando Magic, by selecting him, are making a long-term investment. They aren’t just thinking about next season—they’re building a team that can contend consistently in the years to come. Richardson aligns with that vision. He’s young, moldable, and motivated. He doesn’t need to be the face of the franchise, but he has the tools to become a core contributor on a team that’s growing together. And in a conference stacked with elite guard play, having someone like Richardson, who can defend and score at a high level, is a strategic advantage.
As the new NBA season approaches, all eyes will be on training camp, preseason, and the early part of the schedule to see how Orlando’s new rookie fits into the puzzle. Will he carve out a rotation role early? Will he surprise with his poise and polish? Based on everything Richardson showed at Michigan State and the way he carries himself, the outlook is promising. The adjustment may take time, but the long-term picture is clear: this is a player built for the modern game, molded by experience, and driven by legacy.
In a draft class full of high-ceiling talents and question marks, Jase Richardson offers both excitement and reliability. He may not have been the loudest name called on draft night, but he may be one of the most impactful over time. The Magic made a calculated, intelligent pick—one that aligns with their culture, style, and ambition. For Richardson, the opportunity is here. The platform is set. And now, the next chapter begins—one where legacy meets potential and where a young guard with NBA bloodlines looks to make a name for himself in Orlando, one game at a time.
