After San Antonio Spurs draftee Ryan Richards made the 13-man roster cut for Great Britain, it seems Richards wasn’t fortunate enough to make the final 12-man roster for the 2011 FIBA EuroBasket.
According to Hoops Fix, Richards was waived on Sunday and Great Britain has its final roster ready to go into Lithuania. Great Britain’s performance director Chris Spice had very encouraging words about Richards’ maturation this summer.
“Ryan has had a great summer with British Basketball starting back in June with the under 20 programme. His great performances there and at the front of the senior camp meant he was still in the mix to the very end which is a credit to his effort. If he continues to improve on the little things in his game then he will have a lengthy international basketball career. We look forward to seeing him progress and we wish him well in his upcoming club season.”
As I was watched Richards play in the Under-20 games, he showed very good skills that are a cross between a young LaMarcus Aldridge and Chris Bosh. He rarely got any playing time with the national squad but I do know he led them in scoring in an exhibition game. Maybe he just didn’t have what it took to impress the coach in practice or something else? But I feel Richards could have shown more had he been warranted enough playing time. He has shown marked improvement since coming off shoulder surgery and has made great strides in his basketball development. He is still young and his best years are still ahead of him.
The EuroBasket will kick off next week and Spurs fans will have one less prospect to watch.
(Photo: CDNturner.com)
