Hamilton resident Malachi Richardson, flanked by his parents Jacquie and Lewis, verbally committed to attend and play basketball at Syracuse University on Dec. 13, 2013. (Photo courtesy of Trenton Catholic Academy.)
Saying he loves “everything about Syracuse,” top prospect Malachi Richardson ends his recruitment
The last several months have been all about decisions for Malachi Richardson, but after this most recent one, it’s safe to say he can give the process a break—for now.
The Trenton Catholic Academy junior and basketball standout verbally committed to Syracuse University on Dec. 13, ending an affair that started during his freshman year. He was courted by a number of top-level schools and received offers from the University of Arizona, the University of Connecticut, Georgetown Unviersity, Indiana University, the University of Miami, Ohio State University, Rutgers Unviersity, Villanova University and Syracuse. Other schools like the University of Florida, the University of Kansas and the University of North Carolina expressed interest.
And how could they not? Richardson is ranked 12th in the country, 4th at shooting guard, 2nd in the region and 1st in the state by ESPN. After transferring to Roselle Catholic High School following his freshman year at TCA, the Hamilton resident helped lead the Lions to a Tournament of Champions title last year as a sophomore.
Several months before committing to play for Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim at Syracuse, though, he had to make another key decision. Richardson opted to transfer again and finish out his high school career with TCA.
“Coming back home is a great feeling,” he said. “Being up there, it was fun, but I miss being home. I think I’ll have a fun year this year, also. Just being back in my hometown, having TCA on my chest. It can’t get any better than that, just being around your family and friends more than normal.”
TCA head coach Fred Falchi said he and other coaches had been watching Richardson play since he was in third grade, so the junior is used to his play being scrutinized. Despite the attention, Richardson has still managed to stay focused and on top of his game.
“Sometimes it can get to you, but I try not to let it affect my play,” he said. “I try to leave that off the floor. When I’m on the court, I do what I have to do on the court. Just knowing all the coaches that are recruiting me, it’s a blessing. I’m trying to stay level-headed and thankful. Anything can happen. It can all come to an end at any time. I just know that I need to stay focused and stay blessed.”
Still, though, Richardson is just a teenager, bound to feel the heat sometimes. Choosing to commit now rather than a year down the line gives him a chance to cool off a little bit.
“It takes a lot of pressure off,” he said. “Now I can play freely without worrying about who’s in the gym watching.”
He owes a lot of his mindset to Falchi and his parents, Jacquie and Lewis. The three are open with Richardson; he said they don’t sugarcoat things.
“[My parents] are always on my back about school, basketball, everything,” he said. “They keep me level-headed. [Falchi] is always on all of us. I think knowing that I have a group of people that are not just yes and no people, they’ll keep it real with me.”
So it’s no surprise Jacquie and Lewis played a major role in the process. They took trips, sat down with coaches and advised Richardson every step of the way. Jacquie said the decision was all but made after attending the Dec. 3 game between Richardson’s final two choices: Syracuse and Indiana. Syracuse won, 69-52—its second win in as many years against the Hoosiers. But it was what happened after the game that carried the most weight.
“It was a long process, but I think after we spoke to Jim Boeheim, he really closed the deal,” Jacquie said. “Everything he had to say, how he would fit into the program, how they would use him as a freshman going into sophomore year, he sold us on that program.”
Richardson said Boeheim broke down Syracuse’s roster, explaining the way he uses each of his players and how Richardson would fit into that scheme.
“I just know that I definitely fit into their system,” he said. “He’s definitely going to use me to my best ability.”
One of Richardson’s Roselle Catholic teammates, Tyler Roberson, is already a part of that system. The Syracuse freshman spoke to Richardson after his visit.
“He really helped me out, too,” he said. “After winning the state championship with him, I think that helped me out.”
When Richardson started to create buzz around the college basketball circuit, Falchi said he gave him the same simple advice he has given other recruits in the past: don’t go somewhere you don’t like.
“You have to like the coach, like the team, and like where you’re going to go,” he said. “You’re going to live there for four years. You have to like the area. If you’re not getting along with the team or if you don’t like the coach, it’s probably not a great fit. Your team is your family. You spend almost 12 months out of the year with them. It’s the same thing with your coach. If you’re not getting along, it’s going to make things difficult.
Richardson certainly took that to heart.
“Jim Boeheim is a great coach,” he said. “I loved everything about Syracuse. I think that would be the best school for me. Being able to have my parents there for games, it’s not too far of a ride. I just love everything about Syracuse University.”
Now that this small matter is out of the way, Richardson has a basketball season to focus on. He comes back to TCA as one of the team’s “elder statesmen,” as TCA Public Affairs Director John Shaffer put it. He left as one of the varsity squad’s only freshmen.
“It’s different knowing that I was always the youngest,” Richardson said. “I had to go get the basketballs, do all the extra things that the freshmen have to do. Now it’s fun because I can tell the freshman to go do that stuff.”
He also returns to TCA as a state champion, leading Roselle Catholic to a Tournament of Champions title last year. He hopes to do the same this season—just a little bit closer to home.
“It’s more of an experience thing,” he said. “Some guys have been there, some guys haven’t. I know with being there and actually winning, we went through a lot last year. I know it will take a lot this year, too.”
Falchi agreed, though he has another goal for Richardson in mind.
“I just want him to be himself,” he said. “We have a lot of talent. I hope that’s enough. Playing in Parochial B, that would be the toughest section in the entire country. Our expectations are always high, but I just want them to go out and have a good time. It’s really all for the kids. You do have a better time when you win than when you lost, but he’s a kid. He’s still a 17-year-old. You want him to have a good time.”
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