Full Court Finish: A Former NBA Star’s Journey Back to the Classroom 

2025

by Samantha Keane

After leaving Michigan State in 2001 to pursue his dream of playing in the NBA, Jason Richardson (BSSPM ’25) recently fulfilled his promise to his mother: to graduate with his bachelor’s degree in sport management. 

As the fifth overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft with the Golden State Warriors, Richardson spent more than 14 years playing professional basketball before retiring in 2015. Following his retirement, Richardson remembered his promise to return to school and began researching programs. 

“It’s hard to preach education to my kids when I didn’t really have my education,” Richardson said. 

“The first day I sat down to do school work and my son was excited that I was doing homework, I realized that this was bigger than just what I promised to my mother,” he said. “This was something that my kids also needed to see me do.” 

Completing a Degree Around the World

Since Richardson’s departure from the NBA, he has remained a dedicated member of the sports industry and father to his three children, ages 25, 19 and 17. To kickstart his journey back to school, Richardson attended a community college in Denver to earn credits before applying to four-year schools. 

He later applied and was accepted into UF Online’s sport management program, which allowed him the flexibility to balance coursework with parenthood and traveling internationally as an NBA ambassador. Throughout his experience, he connected with professors and other online students who were completing their degrees abroad. 

“The professors were very helpful, knowledgeable, and the coursework was insightful, especially going into my internship,” Richardson said. “I became friends with another student online who also works and travels while completing courses, and it has been great to check in on how our own paths are doing.” 

Interning at Creative Artists Agency

Off the court, Richardson always found the sports industry’s operation and business side fascinating. In June 2025, Richardson began as an intern with Creative Artists Agency, or CAA – a leading talent and sports agency – in Los Angeles to support the NBA’s pre-draft process, where he assisted with athletes transitioning to their professional careers. During his internship, Richardson and CAA represented six first-round draft picks, including Dallas Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg, Charlotte Hornets’ Liam McNeeley and Richardson’s son, Jase Richardson. 

“Stepping up, helping the younger guys out during their transition from college to the pros and seeing how contracts are structured for those preparing for the draft,…it’s almost a full circle moment,” Richardson said. 

Additionally, he assisted in coaching these athletes in conditioning and strength training to support their professional-level team workouts. 

“Getting to know a lot of these guys on a personal level was something that I will always remember,” Richardson said.

Read more content from UF HHP’s Performance Magazine.