$Signed a three-year, $15 million contract extension with the Hornets in March of 2023.
Personal Bio/PreCareer Summary
Nicholas Richards was born Nov. 29, 1997 in Kingston, Jamaica. He has one sibling, Sharique, and credits his mother, Marion Tenn, as the biggest influence in his life. Outside of basketball, Richards is a bigger soccer fan who lists Cristiano Ronaldo as his favorite athlete of all-time. In high school, Richards was a consensus five-star prospect while playing for The Patrick School. The accolades started pouring in early, as he was named 2017 Mr. Basketball in the state of New Jersey, in addition to participating in the McDonald's All-American Game, the Jordan Brand Classic and the Nike Hoop Summit. He received interest from several elite programs before ultimately choosing to attend school at Kentucky. While there, he majored in Community and Leadership Development. You can follow Richards on social media at @iamnickrichards (Twitter), @nickrichards_ (Instagram) and @nicholas.p.richards (Facebook). A five-star prospect with a mountain of accolades, Richards started 37 games for coach John Calipari and the Wildcats in his freshman season. That year, he put up 5.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.9 blocks before Kentucky was bounced by Kansas State in the Sweet Sixteen. Richards also appeared in 37 games his sophomore year, but only started three. His averages dipped to 4.0 ppg and 3.3 rpg, but he still led the team in total blocks and posted a career-high 19 rebounds Nov. 8 against SIU. Richards had a massive leap in his junior year, increasing his averages to 14.0 points and 7.8 rebounds. He also shot a career-best 64.4 percent from the field, leading the team in that category along with rebounds and blocks (again). His career high of 27 points came in a victory over Mississippi State on Feb. 4. While the season was cut short due to COVID-19, Richards still had personal success, getting named first-team All-SEC and making the All-SEC defensive team before declaring for the 2020 NBA Draft.
Diagnosed with rib fracture
CCharlotte Hornets
Ribs
November 5, 2024
The Hornets announced Tuesday that an MRI revealed Richards has a right first rib cartilage fracture underneath his clavicle. He has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Pistons and will next be re-evaluated following the team's road trip later this month that runs from Nov. 17 through 19.
ANALYSIS Richards had previously been listed with a shoulder injury after getting hurt during an on-court collision in the first half of Friday's loss to the Celtics, and the big man had already missed the Hornets' ensuing two contests. After the rib fracture was detected following the MRI, Richards is now being viewed as week-to-week, leaving Charlotte thin at center while Mark Williams (foot) is without a clear timeline to make his season debut. The Hornets will likely turn to Moussa Diabate, Grant Williams and Taj Gibson to soak up extra minutes at center until at least one of Williams or Richards is able to return.
2024 NBA Per Game Split Stats - Starting/Off Bench
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2024 NBA Per Game Split Stats - Days Rest
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2024 NBA Per Game Split Stats - By Result
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Advanced Stats
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2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
Stat Review
How does Nick Richards compare to other players?
This section compares his stats with all players from the previous three seasons (minimum 200 minutes played)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.
True Shooting %
An advanced statistic that measures a player's efficiency at shooting the ball that takes field goal percentage, free throw percentage, and three point percentage into account.
Effective Field Goal %
A statistic that adjusts field goal percentage to account for the fact that three-point field goals count for three points while field goals only count for two points.
3-Point Attempt Rate
Percentage of field goal attempts from three point range.
Free Throw Rate
Number of free throw attempts per field goal attempt.
Offensive Rebound %
An estimate of the percentage of available offensive rebounds a player grabbed while they were on the floor.
Defensive Rebound %
An estimate of the percentage of available defensive rebounds a player grabbed while they were on the floor.
Total Rebound %
An estimate of the percentage of available rebounds a player grabbed while they were on the floor.
Assist %
An estimate of the percentage of teammate field goals a player assisted while they were on the floor.
Steal %
An estimate of the percentage of opponent possessions that end with a steal by the player while they were on the floor.
Block %
An estimate of the percentage of opponent two-point field goal attempts blocked by the player while they were on the floor.
Turnover %
An estimate of turnovers committed per 100 plays.
Usage %
An estimate of the percentage of team plays used by a player while they were on the floor.
Fantasy Points Per Game
NBA Fantasy Points Per Game.
Fantasy Points Per Minute
NBA Fantasy Points Per Minute.
True Shooting %
64.4%
Effective Field Goal %
63.6%
3-Point Attempt Rate
3.0%
Free Throw Rate
66.7%
Offensive Rebound %
15.4%
Defensive Rebound %
24.8%
Total Rebound %
19.9%
Assist %
10.0%
Steal %
0.6%
Block %
8.5%
Turnover %
11.8%
Usage %
15.1%
Fantasy Points Per Game
32.7
Fantasy Points Per Minute
1.2
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Total
Per Game
Per 36
NBA Historical Fantasy Stats
How are these ratings calculated?
Our historical fantasy ratings are standard scores calculated using 8-Category settings with 12 teams and 13 players per team.
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NBA Per Game Historical Fantasy Stats
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NBA Per 36 Historical Fantasy Stats
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Historical ADP
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Hornets Depth Chart
Our full team depth charts are reserved for RotoWire subscribers.
Average Fantasy Points are determined when Nick Richards was active vs. non-active during the season. Click here to view average fantasy points for a different time period.
Minutes
FanDuel
DraftKings
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FantasyDraft
Head2Head
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Nick Richards See More
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Joel Bartilotta highlights his favorite plays for Sunday's DFS main slate on DraftKings.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
After barely playing during his first two seasons in the NBA, Richards was able to carve out a meaningful role for himself during the 2022-23 campaign. In 18.7 minutes per night, he put up averages of 8.2 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks, shooting 62.9 percent from the field and a respectable 74.9 percent from the line. Although Mark Williams is now firmly established as the starting center in Charlotte, Richards should serve as the primary backup. His role should replicate what he was able to do last season, putting him on the radar as a specialist target in slightly deeper formats. If Williams misses time at all during the season, Richards could make for a must-add player, even in 12-team leagues.
Richards compiled a productive Summer League, making a proper claim for more minutes entering the 2022-23 season. Unfortunately, he will be battling the likes of Mason Plumlee, P.J. Washington and Mark Williams, all of whom could be ahead of him in the rotation. Based on what is currently known, the best case scenario would be to view Richards as a potential streaming option if and when other players are sidelined.
More Fantasy News
Out Monday
CCharlotte Hornets
Shoulder
November 3, 2024
Richards (shoulder) has been ruled out for Monday's game against Minnesota.
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Won't play against Boston
CCharlotte Hornets
Shoulder
November 2, 2024
Richards (shoulder) is out for Saturday's game versus the Celtics.
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Downgraded to out
CCharlotte Hornets
Shoulder
November 1, 2024
Richards (shoulder) won't return to Friday's game against the Celtics.
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Questionable to return Friday
CCharlotte Hornets
Shoulder
November 1, 2024
Richards is questionable to return to Friday's game against the Celtics due to right shoulder soreness.
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Stands out with two-way play
CCharlotte Hornets
October 31, 2024
Richards racked up 24 points (10-14 FG, 4-7 FT), 14 rebounds, four assists, four blocks and one steal across 33 minutes during Wednesday's 138-133 win over the Raptors.
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Knicks could target him
CCharlotte Hornets
September 14, 2024
Richards could be a trade target if the Knicks want to bolster their center depth during the 2024-25 season, according to Ian Begley of SNY.tv.
ANALYSIS The Knicks are set to open the season with Mitchell Robinson as their starting center, while Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims should operate as the backup options. That's a shaky group at best, especially when considering Robinson's injury history, Achiuwa's offensive limitations and Sims' lack of experience. Don't be surprised if the Knicks aim to acquire a center via trade at some point during the 2024-25 season, and Richards could be a strong option, especially if Mark Williams stays healthy for the Hornets. Richards already showed he can produce in a starting role when replacing Williams in Charlotte last season.