5-star wing Jaxon Richardson, the son of former NBA star Jason Richardson, has trimmed his list down to 10 schools. It's a list that includes Alabama but surprisingly does not include Michigan State, the school his father and older brother played for:
NEWS: Jaxon Richardson, the No. 19 overall prospect in the class of 2026, has cut his list down to 10 schools, sources tell @247Sports
— Dushawn London (@DushawnLondon1) July 8, 2025
Story: https://t.co/Cg4lX4sS1T pic.twitter.com/t4A27sHlFN
Richardson is a fast-rising prospect, ranked as the No. 19 overall player in the 2026 class according to the 247 composite.
Richardson has been a standout on the Nike EYBL circuit, and his two-way ability has him as one of the nation's most coveted players. He's a high-level athlete, much like his father, who won two NBA Slam Dunk Contests. He's got a nice touch from deep and has elite defensive traits.
His scouting report from 247Sports director of scouting Adam Finkelstein is impressive:
""Richardson is one of the truly elite athletes in the national class and may be the very best leaper. He's an aerial assault waiting to happen and delivers at least one, if not multiple, incredible finishes each time he takes the court. Beyond that, though, we've seen real growth in his game. His timing and body control have gone to new levels; he's made strides with his spot-up shooting, developed as a cutter, and now changing the game defensively and with his rebounding as well. He averaged 10 boards per game this weekend and is particularly lethal flying at the offensive glass. Defensively, his court coverage and athleticism allow him to get his hands on a ton of balls and be a playmaker on that end of the floor.""Adam Finkelstein
For Nate Oats, it's a do-over in the recruitment of a Richardson
Even though the list is only cut down to 10, Alabama has to feel pretty good about where they stand with Richardson. He's made a couple of trips to Tuscaloosa in the past and has already scheduled an official visit to Alabama on September 13th. It's currently the only official visit on the books for the elite Miami native.
His older brother Jase was a high-level recruit in his own right and was recently the No. 25 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic after being a one-and-done for his father's Alma mater, Michigan State.
Nate Oats and Alabama very nearly landed Jase in the 2024 recruiting class. At one point, the Tide was considered the leader, but a rescheduled visit on Alabama's part sent Richardson to East Lansing for a big recruiting weekend, and he ended up following in his father's footsteps.
Oats won't make the same mistake with Jaxon.
The family's comfortability with Oats and the Alabama coaching staff from Jase's recruitment is working in the Tide's favor.
Alabama doesn't have a commitment yet in the 2026 class, but September 13th is shaping up to be a big weekend for the Crimson Tide. Along with Richardson, Oats also has a visit scheduled with 5-star PG Deron Rippey Jr.
Along with those two, Alabama is making a major push for 5-star Caleb Holt, an Alabama native who took an unofficial visit to campus the summer already. Oats will push to get him on campus for an official sometime this fall, too.
The 2026 class is shaping up to be a special haul for Alabama, if Oats and company can pull it off.