Memphis basketball recruiting: Ahead of visit, Billy Richmond III in no hurry to decide
Billy Richmond III is already familiar with Memphis Tigers basketball.
The four-star recruit also is well acquainted with coach Penny Hardaway.
“Memphis was the first school to offer me, and Penny has known me since I was a baby,” Richmond told The Commercial Appeal in May. “I kinda look at him like family.”
So his upcoming official visit to Memphis, which starts Friday, won’t be as much about making introductions and getting the lay of the land as it will be about other things.
“We’re looking for a place that’s a safe environment and somewhere where he would enjoy playing,” said Kimberly Thomas, Richmond’s mother. “You know, sometimes kids get to college and it kind of becomes like a job. We’re looking for somewhere he can just continue to enjoy the game and develop.”
Richmond was born and raised in Memphis. His father, Billy Jr., played for the Tigers under former coach John Calipari and founded Wing Guru. Richmond spent time at Lausanne before playing his freshman and sophomore seasons at East High. His move to Camden, New Jersey, where he’s getting ready to begin his senior season, brought about a substantial rise through the recruiting rankings. The 6-foot-7 wing is currently ranked No. 31 overall in the Class of 2024 by 247 Sports Composite.
He has more than a dozen scholarship offers. However, recent speculation from national recruiting analysts suggests it will be a two-horse race between Kentucky (where Calipari is coach) and Memphis.
Thomas rejects that notion, noting her son also has visits set up with Kansas and Alabama in October.
Richmond, who visited Kentucky last week, himself even chimed in on social media.
“I am still down to 8 schools, nothing has changed,” he posted Tuesday on X, the platform known formerly as Twitter.
The other programs in his top eight are Miami, Louisville, Texas and LSU.
To that end, Thomas said this week that Richmond is not prepared to make a decision about his future anytime relatively soon.
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“I’m telling him to take his time,” she said. “Take in your visits and see what schools are the best fit for you. Even if the season starts, check out how some of the coaches are coaching and where you’d fit in.”
This year’s early signing period begins Nov. 8.
“But if he's still not sure, then I’m just telling him there’s no hurry," Thomas said. "If a school wants you, they’ll want you whenever you’re ready.”
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What Billy Richmond III is looking for on Memphis basketball visit
