Some decisions age overnight. Billy Richmond III’s didn’t even make it to dinner.
On the final day prospects could withdraw from the NBA Draft and keep their college eligibility, the Arkansas wing’s status flipped from confirmed entrant to confirmed returnee in less time than it takes to watch a halftime show.
Less than half an hour was all it took on Wednesday for Richmond’s NBA Draft status to flip from done deal to gone deal.
Razorback fans who lived and died with every tick of that clock are breathing a lot easier tonight.
CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein broke the first wave of news at 5:31 p.m. on May 27, reporting that the Memphis native was staying in the draft.
Hog fans started doing the math on what it meant to lose him. Then, at 5:54 p.m., Rothstein was back with an update that changed everything.
Richmond’s agent, Bill Duffy of WME, told Rothstein his client had switched course and would return to Fayetteville for his junior season. Twenty-three minutes.
That’s the entire shelf life of Billy Richmond as a projected NBA Draft entrant.
UPDATE: Billy Richmond has just switched course and will return to Arkansas next season, per his agent Bill Duffy of WME. https://t.co/nLhxOxGIuv
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) May 27, 2026
The Deadline Day Drama
May 27 was the final day prospects could pull their name from draft consideration and preserve their college eligibility.
Richmond waited until the clock was nearly out before his camp made the call public, first on one side of the fence, then quickly on the other.
It’s the kind of news cycle that makes your phone battery drop 10 percent just refreshing the app. First the gut punch, then the relief.
That’s a rough few minutes to be a Hogs fan and it’s a fascinating few minutes to be a college basketball observer.
The timing wasn’t accidental. Prospects and their representation often use deadline day to gather final feedback from NBA front offices before committing to a path.
When Richmond’s agent stepped in with the reversal, it was the clearest possible signal about where things stood professionally and what the right move looked like for his development.
You gotta quit making my heart skip a beat Jon‼️❤️🔥 Woo Damn Pig! 🐗 pic.twitter.com/QL2KCMPpT5
— Klayton (@Brian10529302) May 27, 2026
What Richmond Brought to Table — Literally
There’s no question Richmond gave the league a good look at what he can do.
At the NBA Combine, the 6-foot-5¾ wing checked in at 195.4 pounds with a 6-foot-8 wingspan and an 8-foot-5 standing reach. His hands measured 9 inches in length and 9.25 inches in width, scouts notice those things.
He then went out and shot 17-of-25 from three-point range in the Star Drill. That’s 68 percent. Among the four Razorbacks at the combine, nobody touched it.
He also converted 13-of-25 on spot-up threes and went 19-of-30 on off-the-dribble jumpers. He posted the best Pro Lane Drill time and tied for the top mark in the 3/4 Court Sprint.
The kid can play. The NBA knew it. He knew it. And he’s coming back to Fayetteville anyway.
A Season That Earned Him That Attention
Richmond’s sophomore campaign wasn’t sneaking up on anyone who watched closely.
He averaged 11.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.1 steals across all 37 games — 19 of them starts. He shot 56.3 percent from the floor.
Richmond shot 78.4 percent from the free-throw line. In SEC play alone, he ranked second in the conference in field-goal percentage at 57.4 percent.
He recorded 21 double-figure scoring games on the season after posting just six as a freshman.
Richmond couldn’t crack 16 points in a game through his first 60 career appearances and then he went out and scored 20 or more in five straight. He earned a spot on the 2026 SEC All-Defensive Team and was named to the All-Glue Team by College Hoops Today.
He has an energy level coaches from John Calipari to assistants have talked about that really doesn’t have a line in the box score.
What It Means for Razorbacks
Richmond’s return is a huge development in the Arkansas offseason roster picture. He’s the first of the Razorbacks with draft considerations to announce he’s coming back.
Darius Acuff Jr. and Trevon Brazile remain in the draft. Meleek Thomas has not yet declared his intentions publicly.
That makes Richmond’s decision the kind of anchor move that gives a program something to build around. He’s a player who’s started at the 1, 2, 3 and 4 positions for Arkansas.
e’s one of three Razorbacks who played in all 37 games in both his freshman and sophomore seasons.
The Hogs get him back and they get him with another summer of development behind him after a combine showing that proved he is a legitimate NBA prospect.
It’s a real win.
