Jim Boeheim on Kadary Richmond’s NCAA Tournament status: ‘He will be able to play’

The Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team earned a No. 11 seed in the NCAA Tournament and will tip-off against No. 6 seed San Diego State on Friday. Freshman guard Kadary Richmond is expected to be able to play in that matchup, according to head coach Jim Boeheim.

Richmond has been hindered by a knee injury, but he hasn’t missed game action.

“Kadary is hurt a little bit but he will be able to play. He’ll be able to practice this week. He’s got some tendinitis, that’s all. So I think, certainly by Friday, he should be at full strength,” Boeheim shared with local media on Sunday.

Richmond has been an integral member of the team off the bench, particularly on the defensive end. The freshman averages 6.4 points, 3.3 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game.

Photo by Benjamin Solomon/Getty Images

Richmond has been limited in his last three games due to his knee. He hasn’t played over 18 minutes since the North Carolina game on Mar. 1. Under the four minute mark of that contest, Richmond limped off the court and did not return.

During an interview with Packer and Durham on Mar. 5, Boeheim divulged that Richmond’s knee was bothering him and he probably shouldn’t have played against Clemson.

Richmond played 27 minutes in two games in the ACC Tournament. He was held in check with four points and four assists.

Syracuse will have had eight days in between the Virginia and San Diego State matchups, the longest break in between games since the team went on pause at the end of December.

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