St. John’s star transfers Kadary Richmond, Deivon Smith already ‘feed off each other’
Kadary Richmond and Deivon Smith are used running the show for their respective teams. That will change for them next season at St. John’s.
nypost.com
By Zach Braziller
Kadary Richmond and Deivon Smith are used to dominating the ball, running the show for their respective teams.
That will change for them next season at St. John’s — and the two lead guards are OK with that.
They think playing with another point guard — each other — will make it easier for one another.
Kadary Richmond talks to the media during a Name, Image & Likeness event with Red Storm fans at the Applebee’s in Queens.Corey Sipkin for the New York Post
“I feel like we feed off each other,” Smith said on Wednesday, at a Name, Image & Likeness event with Red Storm fans at Applebee’s in Queens. “We’ve been playing pretty good in practice. To play with another guard like that, another athlete, is going to show different aspects of my game.”
Added Richmond: “Just knowing that there’s somebody else [like myself] that the defense will have to worry about in terms of passing, scoring, doing other things, [will help me].”
The two fifth-year transfers, ranked among the top guards to enter the transfer portal, verbally committed to St. John’s in the span of 24 hours in early May — the two biggest additions coach Rick Pitino made this spring.
Over the last month, they have been getting to know one another during summer workouts.
Richmond and Smith are very different players.
The 6-foot Smith, a Decatur, Ga. native, is a blur of a guard, a speedster who is a one-man fastbreak.
He set a Pac-12 single-season record last year for Utah with five triple-doubles.
The 6-foot-6 Richmond, an All-Big East first team selection for Seton Hall last season, plays at a more methodical pace.
He can post up and has a strong mid-range game.
They both excel at getting into the lane and creating for their teammates, as their combined 12.2 assists per game a year ago would suggest.
“I feel like it’s very versatile. They can play the one or the two,” teammate RJ Luis said. “They’re very good passers, high IQ passers. They get everybody involved. They like to share the ball and get others going. … I’m very excited to play with them two, just the style of play, how fast they get up and down the court, their ability to move the ball.”
The one question when it comes to the pairing is perimeter shooting.
Richmond and Smith aren’t known as shooters — neither has averaged more than 2.5 3-point attempts in their four-year college careers, although Smith did shoot 40.8 percent from distance last year.
Richmond briefly considered making the move to the NBA after last season was up, but he received feedback that he had to improve his 3-point shot.
Pitino’s history of player development was a major factor in his decision to transfer to St. John’s.
With less playmaking responsibilities, he will have more opportunities to showcase that facet of his game.
“Being able to get more attempts off catch-and-shoots and stuff like that, and really being able to show the work I’ve been putting in on my jump shot,” Richmond, a Brooklyn native, said.
One area of focus is quickening his release and not hesitating. His favorite quality in Smith is his relentless motor.
“He just never stops on both ends of the court, keeps going, gets after it,” Richmond said. “He’s very aggressive.”
Referring to Richmond, Smith raved about his new teammate’s strength for a guard, patience in the paint and selflessness.
St. John’s expects to pick up the pace next season, led by Smith and Richmond. Rising sophomore Simeon Wilcher, who Pitino has raved about, will have a key role as well.
He already has noticed a difference in the speed in which the Johnnies can play at.
“We’re a lot faster than we were last year, the tempo of our offense is going to be a lot faster,” Wilcher said. “We have a whole bunch of freak athletes and people that can get up and down the floor.
“It’s going to be hard for people to stop this year. I feel like we can do really big things.”
