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For Syracuse Orange fans hoping to see Malachi Richardson in an SU uniform this November, those hopes got knocked back a bit with the news that the freshman has received an invite to the 2016 NBA Draft Combine.
Jamal Murray, Thon Maker and Malachi Richardson invited to NBA Combine, sources tell @SNYtv
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) April 30, 2016
There are a ton of underclassmen eligible for the draft this year but only a handful actually get an invite to the combine. It's not a lock that someone will get drafted, but it means enough is thought of the prospect that NBA scouts want to see him close-up in a measurable environment.
Richardson has been all over the place in mock drafts but seems to be slotted for the late first round more often than not these days. He'll know a lot more about where he stands following the combine and if he wants to return to SU after that he still can so long as he doesn't sign with an agent.
Update: It looks like Michael Gbinije got an invite as well, which isn't a surprise given that he's been considered a solid 2nd round choice for a while now.