Nick Richards
A Jamaican center who played for Kentucky and Charlotte.
Nicholas Richards (born November 29, 1997) is a Jamaican professional basketball player who currently plays for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). After attending Jamaica College and St. Mary's High School in New York, he became a consensus four-star recruit committed to Kentucky in 2016. Richards was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans with the 42nd overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft before being immediately traded to the Charlotte Hornets. He signed a four-year, $56 million contract extension on June 29, 2023, and later recorded a career-high 30 points for the franchise against the Detroit Pistons on March 29, 2024.
- Position
- Center
- Draft Class
- 2020 (42nd overall)
- Previous Teams
- None (Drafted by New Orleans Pelicans but traded immediately without playing a game)
- Role
- Rim Protector / Backup Center
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Richards' journey began in Kingston, Jamaica, where he competed in football, volleyball, and track before being discovered by scout Andre Ricketts at a camp in the summer of 2013. Ricketts brought him to the United States, first to St. Mary's High School in Manhasset, New York, and then to The Patrick School in Hillside, New Jersey, in 2014. As a four-star recruit in the class of 2017, Richards chose Kentucky over Syracuse and Arizona, becoming the program's first commit for that cycle. At Kentucky, he participated in prestigious events like the McDonald's All-American Game and the Nike Hoop Summit, where he scored 12 points for the World Select Team. His college career saw him declare for the 2019 draft but return to school, eventually earning Second Team All-SEC honors after averaging 14 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in his final season.
In Their Own Story
The professional path was not linear. After being drafted by New Orleans and traded to Charlotte on a rookie scale contract signed November 30, 2020, Richards saw minimal action initially, averaging just 3.5 minutes per game in the 2020–21 season. He found his footing with the Greensboro Swarm, posting 26 points and 10 rebounds in his G League debut on February 21, 2021. By October 2022, he was a key contributor for Charlotte, scoring 19 points against the Spurs and a then-career-high 20 points against the Hawks. His breakout continued into 2024, where he posted 26 points and 13 rebounds in a loss to the Utah Jazz. On January 15, 2025, Richards was traded to the Phoenix Suns alongside a future second-round pick for Josh Okogie and three other picks. He made an immediate impact, recording a 21-point, 11-rebound double-double off the bench in his debut against Detroit, becoming the first Suns center to achieve this feat. After averaging 9.5 points and 8.6 rebounds in 34 starts for Phoenix, he was traded again on February 5, 2026, to the Chicago Bulls in a three-team deal involving Milwaukee.
Reader's Guide
Richards played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats before entering the NBA. His statistical peaks at Kentucky included 27 points against Mississippi State and 21 points with four blocks against Missouri. In the NBA, his role evolved from a bench player averaging less than one point per game to a starter who recorded a career-high 19 rebounds in a win over Washington on January 25, 2025. During his stint with Phoenix, he started 34 of his 36 appearances, contributing 8.6 rebounds per game. His versatility was evident early at Kentucky, where he led the team in blocks as a sophomore. The transition from Jamaica College to St. Mary's and then The Patrick School prepared him for the rigors of college ball, culminating in a First Team All-SEC selection following his junior year.
Did You Know?
- Richards attended Jamaica College before transferring to US high schools in New York and New Jersey.
- He was the first commit for Kentucky in the class of 2017, choosing them over Syracuse and Arizona.
- In his final college season, he earned Second Team All-SEC honors rather than First Team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Nick Richards?
Nick Richards is a Jamaican professional basketball player who currently serves as a center for the Charlotte Hornets. He was born in 1997 and attended Kentucky before entering the league.
What role does he play on the team?
Richards primarily acts as a rim protector and backup center within the rotation. His physical presence is key to defending the paint when the starters rest.
How did Nick Richards join the Hornets?
He was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans with the 42nd overall pick in 2020 but was traded immediately. This transaction meant he never played a game for New Orleans before joining Charlotte.
What is his current contract situation?
On June 29, 2023, Richards signed a four-year extension valued at $56 million with the franchise. This deal secures his future in Charlotte through the upcoming seasons.
What are some of his career highlights?
Richards recently recorded a career-high scoring performance of 30 points during a regular season game. He is recognized for his development into a reliable contributor since arriving via the draft.