Jason Richardon's Son Jaxon Might Be a Better Dunker Than His Dad
I can't say he's there yet. When it's all said and done, who knows if Jaxson Richardson will be good enough in all the other aspects of the game to ever get a chance to dunk at the highest level for 14-years the way his father did. But as of right now, as a junior in high school, he's already the same height as his dad (6-foot-6), and I'm not sure he doesn't already have him beat vertical wise. I can't find a solid number on what exactly Jaxson's vertical is. Jason Richardson's vertical leap was reportedly 46.5 inches. But when I'm comparing where their heads are at relative to the rim on their bounciest dunks... it's pretty damn close.
But the way Jaxson jumps is so effortless. He makes it look like they're playing a game on a 9-foot rim. Jason Richardson always dunked with so much power. It felt like every dunk he threw down he was throwing down with all of his might.
Jaxson Richardson on the other hand looks like's he's floating. Like he's being pulled off the ground into the sky by a UFO. I'm sure it's a bit of an obstacle illusion, but it almost makes me think, "What if this kid actually tried to jump his highest?".
He borderline jumps inconveniently high. And he's been doing it since before he was old enough to drive a car (without an adult in the passengers seat).
If I'm putting Jaxon Richardson and prime Jason Richardson up against each other in a dunk contest right now, I'm still going dad. But the kid isn't too far off.
It was fun watching Jason Richardson's older son Jase play at Michigan State this year. But his playing style really wasn't all that similar to his dad's. He's a good 3 inches shorter. He shot over 40% from three. He was an awesome guard in his own right, but played a game much lower to the ground than we were used to seeing from his dad.
But Jaxson is the son who looks & plays more how you think Jason Richardson's son would play like.
He's a top 30 recruit in the class of 2026. Still hasn't committed to a school. Would be awesome to see him play at Michigan State with his brother if his brother plans on sticking around for that long (I don't see Michigan State listed on his list of interested schools yet, but who knows what could happen). Maybe this will be the kid to save the dunk contest someday. I'm sure he could already hold his own in the bullshit dunk contests the NBA has been rolling out lately. Maybe the thought of following in his dad's footsteps as a dunk contest guy would be enough to make him enter. And maybe if he's develops into a good enough NBA player, he'd attract some decent, non-Mac McClung competition as well. That might be a long shot, but someday, somebody is going to bring back the dunk contest. I just know it.