Nick Richards
Nicholas “Nick” Richards was born on November 29, 1997, in Kingston, Jamaica. He is currently a professional basketball player who plays for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Richards began his basketball journey in the United States, attending St. Mary’s High School in Manhasset, New York, and later transferring to The Patrick School in Hillside, New Jersey, in 2014. He was ranked as a five-star recruit in the class of 2017 by ESPN and committed to the University of Kentucky in November 2016, turning down offers from Syracuse and Arizona. During his time in college, he played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats from 2017 to 2020. On February 4 of his last season, Richards set a new career high of 27 points in an 80-72 victory over Mississippi State. At the end of the regular season, he was named to the First-Team All-SEC, averaging 14 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game. After the season, Richards declared for the 2020 NBA Draft. In the 2020 NBA Draft, Richards was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans as the 42nd overall pick in the second round, being immediately traded to the Charlotte Hornets. On March 22, 2023, Richards signed a 3-year contract extension worth $15 million with the Hornets. On January 27, 2024, Richards set a career high of 26 points, in addition to 13 rebounds, in a 134-122 loss to the Utah Jazz. His professional career includes stints with the Charlotte Hornets (2020-2025), the G League affiliate Greensboro Swarm (2021), and currently the Phoenix Suns (2025-present).
