"NBA executives have to be a fool not to consider him," said Richmond's uncle, Crawford Richmond. "They have to be fools and they are fools, but what they're going to do is they're going to get him for cheap.

"He's going to play in the NBA."

During a lengthy phone interview with the Tribune this week, Crawford Richmond, who described himself as a "passionate basketball uncle," made his credentials clear: Played for Tex Winter at Long Beach State, teammate of former Bull Craig Hodges. (Jereme Richmond, his mother, Kimberlee, and father, Bill, did not respond to requests for comment.)

"He's way better than (No. 1 overall selection) Kyrie Irving," Crawford Richmond said. "He's right there with (North Carolina's) Harrison Barnes. I can't tell the difference. Jereme is soft spoken and he's different, but that doesn't make him a bad person."

His critique is what you expect a doting uncle to say defending his family and student ("I taught Jereme basketball").

Richmond said he believes his nephew has gained an unfair reputation throughout the NBA as a problem-child.

"I'm tired of people talking about his character. I know he's a high character person," Richmond said. "Who's the judge and who's the jury?"

Thursday night, the NBA judged. It's jury of franchises did not came back in Richmond's favor.

One pick in the draft particularly drew Richmond's ire.

Golden State selected Klay Thompson, son of former NBA player Mychal Thompson, with the 11th overall pick despite Thompson's arrest in March on charges of marijuana possession.

"Jereme never has done a police crime. Never. I want you to quote that in your article," Richmond said. "What about (Thompson)? He got busted by the police, marijuana possession.

"And he goes first round?"

A league source, however, said Jereme Richmond's character had little to do with why he wasn't selected. Instead, the source said Richmond did not participate in individual workouts with every team interested in him during draft evaluations. Thatcontributed to his negligible draft stock more than questions about past behavior.
Crawford Richmond blames undue influence on his nephew from a young age, a mantra telling him he was a "one-and-done" prospect.

He says it was a constant chorus from friends, agents, the media and, in particular, Illinois assistant coach Jerrance Howard. Howard handled Richmond's recruitment at Illinois after former assistant Tracy Webster left for an assistant's job at Kentucky.

Howard has been credited with helping to reinvigorate the Illini's recruiting.

In Jereme Richmond's case, his uncle says Howard repeatedly told the player that he was bound for the NBA after one season at Illinois. Crawford Richmond's implication is clear: Howard mislead Jereme to ensure the player would keep his commitment to attend Illinois.

"Jerrance Howard recruited him on the basis that you're 'one-and done,' so that was in a young kid's mind," Crawford Richmond said.

He added that kind of thinking also contributed to Jereme not taking academics as seriously as he could have at Illinois, though he was not ineligible in his two semesters.

Because of these whispers in his nephew's ear, Richmond said Jereme likely would have bolted for the NBA right out of high school if he could have.

The whole ordeal strained Crawford Richmond's relationship with Howard.

"I have a lot of other kids I'm coaching right now and Jerrance Howard can't talk to them," Richmond said, not elaborating on who those players are.

For good measure, he added: "I would never want to talk to Jerrance Howard again in my life. (That is) on the record."

Howard did not answer multiple calls or return messages from the Tribune. Weber did respond, via text message: "Very tough situation! Hope Jereme can still reach his goal and will help him anyway we can!"

Richmond said he has no issue with Weber.

"He's a great human being. He's just a great guy." Richmond said. "My nephew's demise had nothing to do with Bruce Weber."

Jereme Richmond's options are limited, especially with an NBA lockout looming. For now, he is one and done, just not in the way the Richmond family has imagined since the 8th grade.

"He has been done wrong and we'll fix it," Crawford Richmond said. "But we'll never forget the people involved because this is not fair."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-spt-0626-jereme-richmond-illinois-20110625,0,6707598.story

Delusional.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Million dollar body
10 cent mind

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Lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be.

I think the Richmond's live on Fantasy Island with Mr. Roarke and Tatoo...The reason Jereme Richmond wasnt drafted in the NBA was he blew off workouts with teams that were interested in taking him and he is a head case...He was also suspended for the last two games at Illinois and went home during the season to sort out some "personal" probleams.

I hope the kid cant get his head straightened out...He is a talented kid...Too bad he is getting a harsh lesson taught to him now...Hope it turns out for the best for his sake.

Crawford=Street Agent=Epic Fail.

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There goes one over the fence..Tru Link Fence..Beauty, Privacy Security....Call Tru Link.
Murph's Union 76 Truck Stop....A great Thanksgiving Tradition!!!!

WOO LIFE!!!!

Time for the league to create a program for all rookies under 21.

The NCAA and NBA need to be in agreement on allowing kids to try and be drafted, and if they dont, they can come back to college. Even if they hire an agent!

Plus first year NBA players under 21, need to be under a guidance program. that they pay for. Call it THE ROOKIE HOUSE. Teams can invest some money and buy a house that essentially becomes a dorm for the first year players, living with a team veteran, of which each team will have one of those as well. Like an Asst coach.

It would not be much more than a dorm except they have 1 teacher and he teaches these guys about life and the NBA.

IF such a thing existed, you could see Richmond play for 10 years in the NBA. However, he is track to sign a one year deal for $450K and then maybe another one with another team for $450K

If anyone remembers the story of Reggie Williams from Georgetown, same path. Guy was released after his first couple years and could not function outside in the real world. Getting his shit together, made him a better player and kept him in Denver for 7-8 years after that.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

The NCAA never will, and should never go for this. They already are pretty forgiving in regards to the rules and all this would be is a couple month period where players hire agents, get "advances" by them, and then go back to college and instead of sitting on a college campus working out with your teammates and preparing for next year they'd be distracted. It would hurt the game.

I like how they do things now. Players get one chance to test the draft stock and get feedback and then they can return to college. Jereme Richmond didn't want to be back at Illinois or he would have been just like most players. He was barely an above average player in the Big Ten. That's why he didn't get drafted. Players start to believe they've "made it" by being a dominant high school player, and that used to be the case before the one and done rule. That's why the NBA loves the rule and will never go back to letting players come straight out of high school unless a court forces them to do it. Richmond was unlucky. He's probably a lottery pick and flop 10 years ago. Now, he's going to struggle to ever make an NBA roster.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Hasn't someone already tried to fight that in court?

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The Court will accord substantial deference to the government's immigration policies, particularly those that implicate matters of national security.

There have been challenges to the NFL rule but I don't know of anyone who challenged the NBA rule. I believe that legally as long as a union exists it will always be there because that gives them the ability to negotiate age restrictions.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

I thought some high school kid took it to court and the NBA age restriction was upheld on some basis. I could be wrong though.

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The Court will accord substantial deference to the government's immigration policies, particularly those that implicate matters of national security.

BRick, I am amaed at how you see things in concrete form only.

The NCAA Already allows kids to enter their names in the draft, if they dont hire an agent they can come back to school.

Dee Williams did this.

How much of an advance do you think Jereme Richmond got? Guessing it is less than Illini Nation gave him to come there.

"STUDENT" Athletes, thus Learning. Instead Richmond has been tossed out on the streets at the age of 19,

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

Maurice Clarett temporarily won that case (Fuck you Mike Williams!)

I would think the NBA argument would be much easier, since so many 18 year olds have made it proving it a viable option.

Im not sure about the union stuff, but I wouldnt be shocked to see that rule repealed eventually

I know, but they can't wait until the draft is over in order to decide. They have to decide well in advance for the good of everyone. If you allowed a player to hire an agent and return to school then you'd open them up to getting paid advances by them.
Richmond did this all to himself. He decided he was a one and done player when he was 16 and acted accordingly. His skills did not warrant that. The NCAA gave him a clear path to not being tossed out on the streets at the age of 19.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

I'm with you here... that guy totally fucked up the bears during the regular season matchup.

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So you'd like to see a couple of hundred "borderline" prospects test the draft market each year. I'm sure NBA scouts, agents and NCAA coaches would love that set-up.

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“How do you get to be president and you’re stupid?” Donald J Trump - 4/10/25
When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace turns into a circus. - Turkish Proverb

No other STUDENT would be treated that way. They give harp players scholarships too and if a kid got paid to play for a year in the CSO because the #1 Harp player broke a finger, that kid could go back to school.

I just hate the NCAA's treatment of these kids that fuck up and they are done. I am not even focused on them able to play again, but just helping them get a degree after a big fuckup.

I have to look back at my own situation. Freshman year, partied, drugs, drank, california Girls, D's and F's. Luckily my parents gave me a second chance (after kicking my ass) and I think STUDENT athletes need to get the same chance.

Maybe they have to sit out a year. Attend SCHOOL, yes, real School somewhere they are not going to play at and get a 2.0 GPA for a year

The Board of the NCAA should not be made up of school officials. They need to look at each case on it's own.

Never forget the IHSA taking New Trier to court over a kid Rick Malnati found on the S Side who was homeless (yes, he was a 6'8 black Bball player) and Malnati found him a foster home in Winnetka, so he could attend NT so he could play hoops.

The IHSA hated this so they took NT to court and the judge just ripped the IHSA a new hole, with comments like "your focus is on your organizations power and not on the young man you are to help. The IHSA should be 'ASHAMED" of itself for not seeing this kids life has improved in every way."

He did go on to play at Marquette with D Wade and graduated.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

They look at them anyways

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

But your proposal encourages less than marginal prospects to test the market without penalty. In fact they'd be stupid not to. How does that benefit anyone? The system works pretty well now. Coaches and scouts provide guidance. Unfortunately guys like Richmond don't want to listen (or listen to the wrong people). That can't be helped. International leagues provide a chance, otherwise welcome to the real world.

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“How do you get to be president and you’re stupid?” Donald J Trump - 4/10/25
When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace turns into a circus. - Turkish Proverb

Unless you are willing to start paying players, then you need to have amateurism rules.
Why do these schools owe them anything more than an initial chance? Academic scholarships get revoked too for bad grades and there are no second chances.
Are you referring to Richmond or in general because Richmond didn't seem interested in returning to any school otherwise he would have transferred or returned to Illinois. The NCAA makes it really simple. Do not go through the complete draft process if you want to get an athletic scholarship. He didn't want to do that.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!