Report: Sixers to interview Syracuse guard Malachi Richardson

Today, the 2016 NBA Draft combine got underway, where more than 70 college basketball players received a chance to showcase their skills in front of all 30 NBA teams. This is a great opportunity for players to see where they stand in the eyes of the NBA, especially if they are underclassmen.

One of those underclassmen, who is at the combine is Syracuse guard Malachi Richardson. Richardson was one of the main reasons why the Orange made an improbable Final Four run this past season.

According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Sixers are set to interview Richardson on Friday. This past season, Richardson had a superb freshman year averaging 13.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals in 34.4 minutes per game. He also shot 36.9-percent from the field and 35.3-percent from three-point range.

Then, in the NCAA Tournament, Richardson took his game to another level, averaging 15.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game. Despite his scoring average going up in the NCAA Tournament, Richardson struggled with his shooting.

In the NCAA Tournament, he shot 32.9-percent from the field and 35.7-percent from three-point range.

Richardson has the size to be a solid shooting guard at the NBA level, coming in at 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds but his offense has to continue to develop. In DraftExpress’ latest mock draft, they have Richardson being selected in the second round with No. 53 overall pick by the Denver Nuggets.

But just like Seton Hall’s Isaiah Whitehead, Richardson has until May 25 to decide if he wants to keep his name in the 2016 NBA Draft or go back to school as he has not signed with an agent. If Richardson cannot raise his stock at the combine to at least a late-first round grade, then he should go back to Syracuse for his sophomore year.

Finally, the Sixers could use a player like Richardson with his size and athleticism on the perimeter especially on defense. It will be interesting to see what the Sixers learn from the New Jersey native and what the NBA thinks about him this week.