YES, you read that right. I know it's nearly 11:30 and most people have turned off their television at this point of the draft, but it doesn't mean Kentucky doesn't keep doing its thing!
With the 42nd pick in the 2020 Draft, the New Orleans Pelicans selected Nick Richards, in which they traded the pick to the Charlotte Hornets. Nick Richards will join former teammate PJ Washington on the Hornets.
Nick Richards story is truly one for the books. Comes to Kentucky, can't get it going in year one, so he sits back and watches four of his teammates get drafted as he stays in Lexington for a year two, as a former McDonalds All-American. Year two arrives and he shows improvements, but nothing consistent enough to make his way out of Lexington at the end of the season again, as this time he watches three more players get their names called to the NBA.
To come to Kentucky and not be a one-and-done like you expected to be, and nearly the entire Big Blue Nation thought you'd be, has to mentally exhausting. I'd be shocked if he wasn't the only McDonalds All-American to spend three season at Kentucky in the Cal Era, but despite all that, he didn't give up.
He committed to Kentucky on November 10th, 2016, and over four years (and 6 days) later, he finally heard his named called as the Charlotte Hornets believe he is worth the draft pick.
An inspiring story, starting in Jamaica, that took an extended pit-stop in Lexington has now fired up it's motor and is headed to Charlotte.
Girlfriend Leah Edmond expressed her emotions once finding out her boyfriend had been drafted.
Congratulations to Nick Richards, his family, Leah, and I hope you find your way in the league and have a long, successful career.