Kadary Richmond has been around the Big East for four seasons, and he knows what it takes to be considered as one of the league’s best players. It’s why he and his teammates were surprised that he wasn’t voted to the All-Big East First Team.
While Richmond wasn't upset by only getting the nod to the Second Team, he’s proving his worth to the Johnnies on the court.
“It was surprising,” Richmond said of his snub after St. John’s 78-57 victory over Butler during the Big East Tournament Quarterfinals.
“I felt like I was up there with the best of them in this conference.”
The Seton Hall transfer closed the regular season with St. John’s first triple-double since Ron Artest in 1999 with 10 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists against Marquette and flirted with it again against the Bulldogs with 15 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists.
He averaged 12.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 2.1 steals per game during the regular season.
“They picked who they picked, they did what they did, but we are here now and we’re winning,” he continued.
“I got two more games to show everybody they were wrong.”
RJ Luis and Zuby Ejiofor were both named to the All-Big East First Team, Luis being a unanimous selection and the Big East Player of the Year.
“What Kadary has been able to contribute to this team and how much he means to us, more than anything he deserved to make the [All-Big East First Team],” Ejiofor said. “I don’t think he’s really too worried about that.”
“We all believe he’s one of the best guards in the country and he shows it each and every night.”
Richmond was a semifinalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.
“I think he definitely should’ve been First Team All-Conference,” Luis said, but noted that it is very difficult for a team to have three players recognized that highly by the league.
“He’s definitely a First Team guy like you see every night. I wish all three of us could be on the First Team.”
Kadary Richmond and St. John’s will take the floor in the Big East Tournament Semifinals on Friday night (6:30 p.m. ET, FOX) against Marquette.