Defense of Vol signee lauded

The Tennessee basketball team added a third member to its 2011 signing class Wednesday as new Vol head coach Cuonzo Martin announced that Josh Richardson of Edmond, Okla., signed a National Letter of Intent to attend UT.
 A 6-5, 180-pound guard from Santa Fe High School, Richardson plans to enroll at Tennessee this summer and hopes to major in biology while minoring in business.
 “Josh can play multiple positions and he’s a guy who has a real passion for playing defense,” Martin said. “He has a great work ethic and really attacks the basket offensively. He’s the type of young man we want in this program. I’m excited about welcoming him into the Tennessee family.”
 As a senior this season, Richardson was named to The Oklahoman’s Super 5 first team, and he also landed on the Oklahoma Coaches Association “Large West” All-State Team. He averaged 16.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists after moving from the wing to the team’s primary point guard.
“I’ve known coach Martin for about two years now, and we’ve always had a really good relationship,” Richardson said. “He’s been recruiting me for a long time, and even when he changed schools, we kept talking. I took a visit to Tennessee’s campus and loved it, and I ended up committing while I was there. I’m very excited about my decision.
“The fan support down there is amazing, and it was great to meet the whole coaching staff. I like them all.”
Richardson, who chose UT over Georgia Tech, Oklahoma, Penn State and TCU, played AAU ball for the Alabama Celtics and Athletes First programs. He was coached at Santa Fe High School by Shawn Schenk.
Richardson joins current Vol signees Chris Jones (Memphis) and Wes Washpun (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) in Tennessee’s crop of newcomers for the 2011-12 season.

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