There was no hesitation from Seton Hall head coach Kevin Willard when Kadary Richmond entered the transfer portal, and now there is none.
The Brooklyn native is Willard’s starting point guardian, the trainer said. That was not the case in Syracuse during Richmond’s one frustrating year with the Orange.
“I feel like I can be myself, play my game freely and make the decisions [on the court]”Said Richmond on Thursday after training in South Orange, NJ. “I felt like it wouldn’t make sense to stay in the end because I wasn’t really playing [as much as I wanted].
“I had the feeling that I could really fit in [at Seton Hall]. “
Seton Hall added two more intriguing transfers – South Florida physical striker Alexis Yenta and US sniper guard Jamir Harris – as well as a healthy Bryce Aiken back. But Richmond, a 6-foot-6 leader, has the potential to ensure the Pirates return to the NCAA tournament after falling painfully short last March and since then Tri-Big East Player of the Year, Sandro Mamukelashvili lost to the NBA.
Kevin Willardfor the NY POST
The slick first sophomore year will fill a gaping hole in the spot, a spot that ruined a once promising season for Seton Hall. Aiken’s injury-stricken campaign (he appeared in just 14 games) forced Shavar Reynolds into the job. Willard praised the former walk-on’s performance in a position he was unsuitable for, but it severely limited Seton Hall. That doesn’t seem to be a problem this year as Richmond, a former four-star Top 100 recruit, is in on it.
“I’m really excited to have a lead guard who can find me a couple of open shots this year. It’s changing a lot, ”said senior star Jared Rhoden. “It creates a lot easier things in the transition and the offensive side of the game.”
In his one year at Syracuse, Richmond averaged 6.3 points, 3.1 assists and 1.6 steals in 21.0 minutes per game. He got off the bank and helped the oranges hit sweet 16. But playing behind Joseph Girard III left a sour taste in his mouth, and he wanted more. At Seton Hall, he will have the chance to continue the pirates’ recent tradition of Brooklyn guards reaching the NCAA tournament.
Richmond knows two of them, Isaiah Whitehead and Kadeen Carrington, who raved about their time at school in New Jersey. Now it’s his turn.
“I feel like I belong because all the guys out of town were successful here, so I didn’t see how I wasn’t going to be successful,” said Richmond. “It’s up to me to take the chance.”