Mitch Richmond

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Lore & Background

Richmond was drafted 5th overall in the 1988 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors. He captured the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in the 1988–89 season, averaging 22 points per game. He was a key part of Don Nelson's fast-paced offense alongside Tim Hardaway and Chris Mullin, dubbed 'Run TMC.' After three seasons with the Warriors, he was traded to the Sacramento Kings on November 1, 1991.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of Richmond's arrival begins with his college success at Kansas State, where he scored 1,327 points in just two years under coach Lon Kruger. Following this performance, the Golden State Warriors chose him fifth overall in the 1988 NBA draft (the source notes '5th overall', despite other data suggesting otherwise). He captured the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in the 1988–89 season while playing for the Warriors, averaging 22 points per game. However, his tenure with Golden State was cut short. The trade to Sacramento on November 1, 1991, marked a definitive turning point. This transaction brought him to a franchise that had struggled since moving from Kansas City in 1985. Richmond's arrival transformed the Kings, making him their leading scorer for seven consecutive seasons and earning him an All-Star MVP award in Phoenix in 1995.

Reader's Guide

Richmond played for the Golden State Warriors from 1988 to 1991, then for the Sacramento Kings from 1991 to 1998, the Washington Wizards from 1998 to 2001, and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2001–2002, winning an NBA championship with the Lakers in 2002.

Did You Know?

• Richmond was a six-time NBA All-Star and five-time All-NBA Team member.
• He won MVP honors at the 1995 NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix.
• Richmond earned a gold medal with the 1988 U.S. Olympic team in Seoul, not Dream Team III in 1996.
• He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014.