9. Jerome “Pooh” Richardson
Jerome Richardson made history when he was selected as the first pick of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ franchise with the 10th overall pick in the 1989 draft.
He is known as “Pooh” because his grandmother thought he resembled Winnie the Pooh.
Although Richardson only played three seasons in Minnesota, he had a successful NBA career altogether.
Richardson averaged 15 points and eight assists per game during his time with Minnesota, where he played the best basketball of his career.
He was named to the All-Rookie First Team for the 1989-90 season and continued to build off his rookie performance.
During Richardson’s very next year, he averaged 17.1 points and nine assists per game, both career highs.
After Richardson’s third year with the Timberwolves, where he never missed a game, they shipped him off to the Indiana Pacers.
He would go on to play seven more seasons in the NBA, but his best years were already behind him.
All throughout his career, he was a great passer.
His great passing began at UCLA where he started all four seasons and left school holding UCLA records for most assists in a career and in a season.
After cracking the top 10 in assists per game on three separate occasions, he ranks 37th in NBA history in assists per game with 6.5. Richardson is also currently ranked 100th all-time in the NBA with 4180 assists. That number would be a lot higher if it weren’t for his final three seasons in the NBA where his production dropped off dramatically.
Richardson is also currently ranked 100th all-time in the NBA with 4180 assists. That number would be a lot higher if it weren’t for his final three seasons in the NBA where his production dropped off dramatically.
Richardson was also known for his quick hands and ability to steal the ball from the opposing players. He finished his career averaging 1.3 steals per game.