Trenton Catholic shooting guard to reveal college choice

Villanova has been in with Malachi Richardson since the beginning, Team Final AAU coach Rob Brown said Thursday afternoon.

"But at the end of the day he can only make one team happy," Brown said as Richardson prepares to announce his college commitment at 2:30 p.m. Friday at Trenton Catholic.

The 6-foot-6 junior shooting guard is New Jersey's top player and is rated as a five-star recruit by both ESPN and Rivals. He will make an oral commitment, choosing from among the Wildcats, Syracuse, Indiana, Rutgers, Arizona, and Connecticut.

Richardson has NBA size and a knock-down jumper, something Brown said is hard to find. Brown said Richardson plays "a mature game" and can handle almost any position. Richardson is expected to play on the wing in college.

Brown said Richardson has a good relationship with Wildcats head coach Jay Wright, who offered the player a scholarship in July.

With Team Final, Richardson played on the same squad as Great Valley senior and future Villanova small forward Mikal Bridges. The two roomed together on road trips and Brown said he could see their friendship grow.

@matt_breen