Memphis signs D-League star

[DJT]

Memphis Grizzlies Make Jeremy Richardson Fourth GATORADE Call-Up

NEW YORK – DEC. 20, 2007 – The Memphis Grizzlies today signed free agent guard/forward Jeremy Richardson of the NBA Development League’s Fort Wayne Mad Ants. He is the fourth GATORADE Call-Up this season.

The 6-7, 195-pound swingman averaged a D-League-high 28.5 points, to go with 6.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.6 steals in 41.5 minutes during eight games this season for the Mad Ants. For his efforts, Richardson was named D-League.com Performer of the Week for games played during the week of Dec. 3, after scoring a D-League season-high 40 points vs. the Iowa Energy on Nov. 29.

“We are pleased to call Jeremy Richardson up from the NBA Development League’s Fort Wayne Mad Ants,” said Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace. “He is an exciting young talent whose career is on a real upswing. Jeremy can shoot the three-pointer, is very good at coming off screens and is blessed with impressive length and size for a perimeter player.

“Jeremy has received excellent coaching and an opportunity to develop his game against strong competition in an NBA-like setting over his time in the D-league. The D-League is an invaluable training ground for talented young players such as Jeremy who need to transition into professional Basketball.”

A product of Delta State (Cleveland, Mississippi) and a member of the Fort Worth Flyers during the 2006-07 season, Richardson earned two GATORADE Call-Ups to the Atlanta Hawks and Portland Trail Blazers. Last season in the NBA, Richardson averaged 1.3 points in six games.

Well signing the leading scorer in the D-League to fill in for Kinsey who was released....wonder how he'll do at the next level. I like this move though.