The Phoenix Suns officially added depth to its backcourt today with the signing of one of the league's premier rebounding guard's Quentin Richardson.
"After a long and frustrating wait, this is terrific news, " said Suns President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo. "Our staff is ecstatic about "Q" joining the Suns."
On Wednesday, July 14, the Suns signed Richardson - a restricted free agent - to an offer sheet giving the Los Angeles Clippers 15 days to match the offer under the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Clippers notified the Suns this morning of their decision not to match the offer sheet. The contract is now a binding agreement between the Suns and Richardson.
Richardson, 24, is one of only four NBA guards to average at least 17.0 points and 6.0 rebounds (Tracy McGrady, Paul Pierce, Jason Richardson) in 2003-04. Last season, he also tied an NBA season-high with eight three-point field goals at Boston on Feb. 4.
The four-year NBA veteran owns career averages of 12.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 281 games (105 starts). In 2003-04, The 6-5, 238-pound point guard had his best season with the Clippers, posting career highs in points (17.1), rebounds (6.4), assists (2.1) and minutes played (36.0). An explosive scorer, Richardson registered a career-high 44 points versus Denver on Dec. 31, 2003 to become the first Clipper to score 40 or more points since Dominque Wilkins recorded 42 points in the 1993-94 season. "Q" posted 30 or more points seven times last season.
Following his sophomore season at DePaul, the Clippers selected Richardson with the 18th overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft. In two seasons with the Blue Demons, he became the only player in school history to reach 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 100 three-point field goals over a career. The Chicago native was also voted National Freshman of the Year by the United States Basketball Writers Association, The Sporting News and Basketball News.