NCAA Basketball: 10 best players from state of Oklahoma of last decade

5. Josh Richardson – Tennessee

A 6’6 guard from Edmond, Richardson found success at the collegiate level, starring across a four-year career at Tennessee. Richardson was an underrated recruit who played under coaches Cuonzo Martin and Donnie Tyndall during one of the weirder stretches for the Volunteers program. Still, he turned into one of the best players on the defensive side of the ball during his time in the SEC.

After playing a minor role as a freshman, Richardson blossomed into an important role while at Tennessee. As a junior, he averaged double-digit points per game and helped lead the Volunteers form the First Four to the Sweet Sixteen, scoring 26 points in a win over Mercer. During his senior year, Richardson averaged 16.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.1 steals per game in Tyndall’s lone season leading the program.

That final season saw him named First Team All-SEC, though he received All-Defense honors in each of his final two seasons. Richardson led the league in steals as a senior and was an efficient shooter late in his career. He was an important piece on those last two Tennessee teams, especially as a dynamic scorer for those three NCAA Tournament wins. Richardson was drafted late in the 2015 NBA Draft, but caught on and has spent the last seven years playing for five different franchises.