Colts Rookie QB Anthony Richardson Showed Off Some Serious Basketball Skills in Pickup Game
No. 4 overall NFL draft selection and new Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is already getting comfortable in the city of Indianapolis.
The athletically gifted quarterback, who starred at the University of Florida, showed up to a local pickup basketball game Monday. Also lacing up that day was James Boyd, a Colts beat writer for The Athletic, who documented Richardson’s dominance on Twitter.
“No stopping him in transition!” Boyd wrote. “I matched up with him a couple times, once on a fast break. I stopped and shot the 3 because I know he would’ve Lebron-ed my layup!”
Check out these skills from Richardson:
Pulled up for a hoop session today and apparently #Colts rookie QB Anthony Richardson had the same idea. No stopping him in transition! ????
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) July 11, 2023
Lol I matched up with him a couple times, once on a fast break. I stopped and shot the 3 because I know he would’ve Lebron-ed my layup! ???? pic.twitter.com/5NwzZqpeHb
Richardson did play varsity basketball at Eastside High School in Gainesville, Fla., averaging double-figure scoring as a junior, so it’s no surprise he looked good in the pickup game. His former Florida teammate Gervon Dexter, who also teamed up with Richardson in AAU basketball growing up, said earlier this year he believed Richardson could have won the NBA Dunk Contest because of his athleticism.
Florida DL Gervon Dexter said he and QB Anthony Richardson played AAU basketball together. Gervon said he played power forward, but Richardson could have played any spot 1-5. Also raved about Richardson’s athleticism saying AR could’ve won the slam dunk contest this year pic.twitter.com/eUf7GaEYzj
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) March 1, 2023
Richardson’s athletic exploits were a major reason the Colts decided to draft him as their potential next franchise quarterback. His vertical jump at the NFL Scouting Combine earlier this year was measured at 40.5 inches, which would have ranked in the top five at the NBA Draft Combine this year. Plus, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds, an incredibly fast time for a quarterback.
Overall, probably not an easy guy to face in a pickup game, no matter the sport!