Arkansas basketball wing Billy Richmond declares for NBA Draft, maintains...

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas men’s basketball wing Billy Richmond announced he will enter the NBA Draft on social media on Friday. He maintained his collegiate eligibility and is likely to return to school if he does not receive a first-round grade. The withdrawal deadline for college players to exit the draft and return to their schools is May 28. Friday was the deadline to enter the draft. Richmond, a 6-foot-6 sophomore, is the third Razorback to declare for the draft, joining Meleek Thomas — who also maintained his college eligibility — and Darius Acuff. Richmond averaged 11.2 points and 4.3 rebounds this season and was named to the All-SEC Defensive Team. Richmond does not appear in the NBA Draft first round in most projections. This season’s NBA Draft class is deeper and better than most in recent memory, with many players expected to be taken being freshmen. Richmond averaged 5.7 points and 3 rebounds as a freshman before his improvements this season. The main area scouts and prognosticators are concerned about with Richmond is his jump shooting. Though he is a strong driver and a good athlete around the rim, Richmond shot 25% from the 3-point line this season. That was an improvement on 12% from his rookie campaign. Arkansas has landed two portal commitments so far: Furman center Cooper Bowser and Georgia guard Jeremiah Wilkinson. Arkansas has three freshmen — 5-stars Jordan Smith and JJ Andrews and 4-star Abdou Toure — committed for next season. Razorbacks wing Isaiah Sealy and forward Paulo Semedo announced their returns to Arkansas for next season on social media on Friday. They were the first players to announce their returns. Forwards Trevon Brazile and Nick Pringle both exhausted their eligibility. Karter Knox, D.J. Wagner, Karim Rtail, Elmir Dzafic and Malique Ewin have entered the transfer portal. Knox and Wagner have committed to Louisville and Maryland, respectively.