A Sea Of Red

so im looking at past Liberty recruiting classes and came across Chip Richomd

Chip Richmond - 6-9, 260, Forward - Memphis, Tenn. (Booker T. Washington HS)

"Chip is one of the top power forwards in the country," Liberty University Head Basketball Coach Mel Hankinson says. "His upside both physically and as a basketball player will rank him as one of the best power forwards in the country in the next two years, as he becomes comfortable at the Division I level.

"Booker T. Washington High School has produced outstanding basketball players and is one of the top programs in the nation (#9 in the nation according to USA Today). Players like Chip allow you to compete and play for conference championships and NCAA bids for years to come."

Richmond is one of the top 10 power forwards in the country and the top 30 players overall according the The Sporting News and CNN/SI. He averaged 16.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game as a junior last season. He helped guide Booker T. Washington to a 21-10 record and as far as the sub-state regional tournament last year.

A three-year starter, he is a preseason All-American according to The Sporting News, Blue Ribbon Basketball Magazine, Hoop Scoop Magazine and Street & Smith's Basketball Magazine. He is also a three-time all-state, all-district, all-metro and all-region selection.

An honor roll member, Richmond was also recruited by Georgetown, Syracuse and Florida State.

"I am excited to sign with Liberty University," Richmond says. "Coach Hankinson is a great coach that will challenge me to improve my skill level and take my game to a higher level. Liberty University will also give me an opportunity to receive a quality education and achieve my goal of being a computer programmer. I am looking forward to making an immediate impact at Liberty and help take them to a higher level."

what happen to him? i couldnt find anything on google. alot of experts had Liberty w/ a top 20 recruiting class that year.

As I recall, Hanky recruited him and a Memphis teammate, but I don't think either player ever arrived on campus for their freshman year at LU.

Chip was just one of many, many players to be recruited by Mel Hankinson and who didn't show up, or wasn't qualified to show up.

There's a reason why, if you look at our media guide, our recruiting classes were ranked in the top 50 (sometimes even beating Duke), and yet, we'd win 5 games a year.

Well, at least Hanky got Rob Attaway here for 3 years.

Cider Jim wrote:As I recall, Hanky recruited him and a Memphis teammate, but I don't think either player ever arrived on campus for their freshman year at LU.

Antiono Burks was another top 100 player.

i think only 3 of them showed up that year (out of 7 they signed) smh

I remember Antonio Burks starting for Memphis State and was problaby there best player his senior year. He came from Hiwassee Junior College where he was highly recruited. Not sure what happened to Chip Richmond but Hanky did make a big deal about signing him in the midst of one of his 5 win seasons.

I think all of his signees were academically eligible however each of their "handlers" knew they were not smart enough to learn the 600 page offensive playbook....not their fault....really nobody was


I kid I kid

Hold My Own wrote:I think all of his signees were academically eligible however each of their "handlers" knew they were not smart enough to learn the 600 page offensive playbook....not their fault....really nobody was


I kid I kid

Defensive training didn't start until midseason as well.....who can work under those conditions???

Rob Attaway knew the playbook...thank God, though, that he was a National Merit Finalist and an Honors student.

Hanky absolutely knew that neither Richmond or Burks would ever play here. Burks actually ended up as a borderline NBA player for a while. I have never heard what happened to Richmond.

Cider Jim wrote:Rob Attaway knew the playbook...thank God, though, that he was a National Merit Finalist and an Honors student.

He was able to concentrate on that after being told directly NOT to shoot the ball.

I asked Mel about that, and if I remember right he (chip) didn't have the grades for college. I don't think he ever played anywhere, including juco.