By Michael McAllister
2014 point-guard JaQuel Richmond is one of the best guard prospects in his class. Out of North Carolina, he's had a lot of high majors show interest in his abilities. We spoke with him in January and he told us his top 5 was Duke, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Kentucky, and UConn. Now, he says he doesn't have a top 5. "My offers are still the same," Richmond said. "I don't have a top 5 right now."
Richmond has had some struggles in EYBL play this summer, averaging 8 points and 3 assists per game while only shooting 38% from the floor. But that hasn't stopped some of the top programs in the country from recruiting him hard. "The last coaches I talked to were Ohio State and Tennessee," said Richmond. "Syracuse is on me hard so far." Being from North Carolina, Duke is obviously in on Richmond. He told Five Star Basketball in January regarding Duke, "Growing up I was a Duke fan, so I always liked watching Duke. I just like Coach K - the way he coaches and how hard he is on his players."
Adrian Autry is recruiting Richmond, and was last in contact with him just before the second session of the EYBL (April 27-29). Richmond said Autry told him, "stay being a leader on the court, and keep staying aggressive."
For Syracuse, guards will continue to be a focus for the 2013 and 2014 classes. Richmond is one of the better ones, and continues to be on the Orange radar.
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