WCC Basketball: Breakout candidates from each team for 2019-20
By Andy Patton
C Zeke Richards – Santa Clara Broncos
Santa Clara’s five leading scorers from last season were all either freshmen or sophomores, so perhaps there is some hope for this team. They did lose two big men, 6’7 Josh Martin and 6’11 Henrik Jadersten to graduation, so they’ll need a post player to step up in their absence.
Zeke Richards is a 6’11 rising sophomore from Oak Park. He appeared in 29 games for the Broncos last year, starting five and averaging 2.4 points and 1.7 rebounds while shooting a solid 53.1% from the field.
Richards didn’t exactly light the world on fire in the five starts he received last year, playing just 16.4 minutes per game thanks to foul trouble and averaging 3.8 points, 3.4 boards and shooting 56.3% from the field, but only 33% from the line.
However, if Richards can learn how to control his body and avoid fouling, he has the size and touch around the hoop to be a weapon in the notoriously undersized WCC.
His lack of an outside shot will prevent him from becoming a complete package, but for a team that needs post-presence, Richards could carve out a nice role as a gritty rebounder and shot blocker, even if he never becomes an elite scorer.