Richardson signs with UT in basketball

KNOXVILLE — Josh Richardson waited until late in the process to make his college choice, but when he saw the school he wanted to attend, he didn’t waste much time making it official.

Tennessee’s newest basketball signee faxed in his National Letter of Intent on Wednesday, just days after he committed on an official visit over the weekend.

“I took a visit to Tennessee's campus and loved it, and I ended up committing while I was there,” the 6-foot-5, 180-pound guard said in a UT release. “I'm very excited about my decision.”

Richardson, out of Santa Fe High School in Edmond, Okla., had long-standing relationship with new Vols coach Cuonzo Martin, who recruited Richardson while he was at Missouri State. He picked the Volunteers over offers from Georgia Tech, Oklahoma, Penn State and TCU.

“I've known Coach Martin for about two years now,” Richardson said, “and we've always had a really good relationship. He's been recruiting me for a long time, and even when he changed schools, we kept talking.”

Normally a wing, Richardson played primarily point guard his senior season and averaged 16.5 points with 6.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists.

“Josh can play multiple positions, and he's a guy who has a real passion for playing defense,” Martin said. “He has a great work ethic and really attacks the basket offensively. He's the type of young man we want in this program. I'm excited about welcoming him into the Tennessee family.”

Richardson, who joined point guards Chris Jones (Memphis) and Wes Washpun (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) in this class, takes the place of former UT signee Kevin Ware (Conyers, Ga.), who was granted his release after Bruce Pearl was fired and committed to Central Florida this week.