ORLANDO — As Orlando Magic rookie Jase Richardson makes his way through training camp, he is trying to soak up as much as possible.
Orlando’s 25th pick in the 2025 draft is invested in learning from those around him while continuing to become acclimated to the demands of the NBA.
“I mean, it's been good,” said Richardson after day three of training camp on Thursday. “I'm just trying to be a sponge right now, learn from the older guys. But I think the first three days have been really beneficial for me. I think I've just been learning so much from these guys and just developing with these guys.”
One of the biggest surprises, Richardson said, is the vocal leadership.
“I just think the leadership from everybody, I mean, this has been a really vocal group, I would say. Everybody's being vocal, just not even the top guys, but everybody's being vocal. So, I think that's just the biggest thing that sticks out to me right now.”
After participating in two Summer League games, Richardson is adjsuting to the physicality his more experienced teammates are bringing to the table; a process that Richardson has to adapt to through experience.
“I don't think you can physically prepare for this,” Richardson said. “I mean, every day it just feels like I'm learning something different about a different guy. I mean, first day, I got a shoulder from Desmond.
“There's no way you can prepare yourself for that.”
Richardson understands things will not get easier, so he will have to get stronger.
“So just learning every day, I mean, the physicality is going to be what it is. It's the NBA. It's the most physical league. So just getting better and just getting stronger.”
Despite only playing in two Summer League games, Richardson valued the experience and believes it provided him with advantages he can take into his rookie year.
“It kind of just taught me what I needed to do as a player,” Richardson explained. “I'm gonna pick up 94 feet, I gotta hit open shots. So I kind of just felt like it kind of just set me up for what I gotta do.”
As the Magic gear up to face the Miami Heat in Puerto Rico on Saturday to open preseason play, Richardson is elated to step on the court in an NBA setting. A feeling that, even after Summer League, will be surreal for the 19-year-old.
“I mean, it's going to be amazing. You always dream of playing in the NBA. And then, I mean, playing the first one, I mean, it's coming up. It's on Saturday.”
“So, it's going to be like a dream come true for me. It's not going to feel real.”