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10 best Tennessee basketball NBA careers ever

By Joey Loose

Feb 5, 2011; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers forward Tobia Harris (12) reaches for a loose ball against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second half at Thompson-Boling Arena. The Crimson Tide beat the Volunteers 65-60. Mandatory credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2011; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers forward Tobia Harris (12) reaches for a loose ball against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second half at Thompson-Boling Arena. The Crimson Tide beat the Volunteers 65-60. Mandatory credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 25, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Josh Richardson (2) shoots against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Josh Richardson (2) shoots against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Tennessee basketball best NBA career No. 5: Josh Richardson

One of Tennessee’s more recent standouts, Josh Richardson starred in Edmond, Oklahoma before making his way to Knoxville back in 2011. He was an early recruit of Cuonzo Martin, playing three years under him and as a senior under Donnie Tyndall. Richardson was a prospect under the radar who really shined in college.

A reserve as a freshman and a minor contributor as a sophomore, he developed into a major weapon on both sides of the ball in the SEC. He was a two-time All-Defense player in the conference and helped lead the Volunteers to the Sweet Sixteen in 2014, with a 26-point effort in their win over Mercer.

Richardson’s senior year numbers were even more impressive, averaging 16.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game to earn First Team All-SEC honors. Once a disregarded prospect, he certainly worked his way into prominence.

He had to wait until the 40th pick of the 2015 NBA Draft, but he began his career with the Miami Heat and has played for six franchises across the last 8 years. There are no showy figures or flashy accolades, but he was a very solid scorer early for the Heat, averaging 16.6 points and 4.1 assists per game in 2019.

Richardson has been in more of a reserve role recently, including with both the San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans this past season, but his NBA career continues ever still. Among former Volunteers, he’s near the top of the ranks among professional careers and the story is still being written for Richardson.

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