Wooter Athlete Of The Month: Shane Richards (RBA Showcase, Sioux Falls Skyforce)
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From Way Downtown: Manhattan College’s career leader in three point shooting has gone from the NBA G League, to Poland, and excelled this offseason at the RBA Showcase at Basketball City. Now the former Jasper is back to the G League after earning a training camp invite with the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
As a rising high school Senior at York Prep, Shane Richards wasn’t afraid to be a straight shooter when talking about the recruiting process for a student-athlete. Back then, the New York native was being recruited heavily by college programs the likes of Lehigh, DePaul, Cornell, and Manhattan College among others.
“I am just trying to have fun out there, win games, and play hard,” Richards said confidently in 2011 while attending the Hoop Group Elite camp.
“I am here to prove I am one of the best.”
Eight years later, the proof of Richards’ own elite ability as a professional player has taken him from a record-setting three point shooter at Manhattan College, to a slashing swingman in Poland and in the NBA G League, to continuing to grow his game throughout the offseason. For Richards, that growth on the court took place over the summer at The Basketball Tournament on the Jaspers’ alumni squad (Team Draddy) and at the RBA Sports & Technology Showcase at Basketball City, in New York City.
Over the past 10 years, RBA Sports has hosted the annual showcase event (along with partners like Dr. Dish, Morgan Stanley, and NY Sports Science Lab who were featured on the customized RBA Showcase jerseys and uniforms from Wooter Apparel) that provides RBA athletes, aspiring, and current professional basketball players with a unique opportunity to compete in front of NBA and international teams. Within that time 12 showcase players have signed NBA contracts (along with 3 two-way) and over 75 players signed to play in the NBA G League after competing at the Showcase, including Luke Petrasek signing with the Charlotte Hornets, the Houston Rockets inking Ronshad Shabazz to a two-way contract (Rio Grande Valley Vipers), and Norvel Pelle dunking his way to a two-way contract with the Delaware Blue Coats and Philadelphia 76ers.
Once again the 6-foot-5 Richards walked the talk, all while expanding his game beyond being a deep threat on the floor.
After filling it up in a hurry for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers against the Texas Legends, it was clear that Richards stroke was as deadly as ever. It’s the same big shot ability that made him one of the most prolific shooters in Manhattan College history. Richards set a school record for three-pointers made in a season with 92 during the 2014-15 season, remains the career leader with 312 three pointers, and graduated ranked eighth in school history with 1,472 career points. In 2016, Richards was selected in the NBA G League Draft (24th overall by the Erie Bayhawks) and played for the Vipers, before signing overseas in Poland with Stargard.
Thanks to his strong showing at the RBA Showcase and his forte for hitting from outside, the Sioux Falls Skyforce (G League affiliate for the Miami Heat) signed Richards to their 2019-20 training camp roster. As the Wooter Athlete of the Month, Shane recently shared his experience from Manhattan College, to adjusting to life playing overseas, and how this past summer proved to be his most productive offseason yet.
“This summer has been all about focusing on playing in the G League. I basically isolated myself from any distractions, and just focused on getting ready for this season by working hard.” - Shane Richards, on his approach to training camp and the 2019-20 NBA G League season with the Sioux Falls Skyforce
It's been almost four years now that you left Manhattan and turned professional, playing in the G League and internationally. What's the biggest thing you've learned about yourself and the game of basketball within that time?
I think the mental aspect of the game is where I’ve learned and improved the most. It’s a big adjustment going from college to the pros, especially if you choose the overseas route. It’s not easy to go to a foreign country where everything is different, it will break you if you’re not prepared mentally. That’s one area that I feel that I’ve mastered in my time as a professional, just being able to stay mentally strong in situations that aren’t ideal.
You've always been known as a great outside shooter -- since coming out of York Prep, setting records in college for the Jaspers, and now showing you can fill it up from outside as a pro. What do you feel has contributed to you being successful in that role as a guy who knock it down from anywhere?
I have always had a ridiculous work ethic. That’s really the only thing I can attribute to my success. I truly believe that I am one of the hardest working people on the planet; and just through time in the gym with constant repetition, I was able to build myself into an elite shooter.
What's your approach to getting better as a player now that you have a few years under your belt. Are there certain tricks or tips you've picked up along the way -- either in the G League or in Poland -- that have you benefited you as a pro?
Every team I’ve ever been on I’ve tried to learn something from one of my teammates, whether it’s how they read a defense, how they come off of a pick and roll, or a certain move or technique that is effective for them. I try to add those things to my game and am always trying to learn from others to expand my skill set, and become a more effective basketball player.
It's roughly 4,100 miles from the Yorkville Youth Athletic Association to Stargard, Poland...what will you take away from that experience in Poland? How often do you think about where basketball has taken you since those days playing travel basketball?
Last season in Poland was the first time in my life that I had been to another country. It took me some time to adjust to the culture over there, but overall it was a good experience. Not a lot of people get to say that they’ve had the opportunity to live in another country, while also doing what they love and playing professional basketball. I am definitely grateful to have had that experience and will never forget my time in Poland.
How has the time you've spent training and developing during the offseason at the RBA Showcase helped you improve as a shooter and player? What makes the Showcase standout to you as a professional?
The Showcase was great and helped me improve my all-around game. I got to play in front of over a dozen NBA scouts and against some good competition at Basketball City. It’s always a great experience when you get to compete and showcase your talents against other talented players. (Hear more from Shane from the RBA Showcase, as he was featured on News12 Bronx).
In heading back to the G League for training camp with Sioux Falls, how are you approaching this season compared to your first year in the G League with Rio Grande Valley?
I am very grateful to have the opportunity to go to camp with Sioux Falls. This summer has been all about focusing on playing in the G League. I basically isolated myself from any distractions, and just focused on getting ready for this season and working hard. This offseason has been my most productive yet and I’m excited to showcase the different things I’ve been working on.
Connect with Shane Richards on Twitter and Instagram
Read more from our Wooter Athlete of the Month and Wooter Coach of the Month series…
