Mitch Richmond's basketball career is remembered for his scoring prowess and consistency on the court. Born on June 30, 1965, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Richmond honed his skills at Moberly Area Community College and later at Kansas State University, where he gained national attention for his scoring ability and athleticism. His college success led to him being selected as the fifth overall pick in the 1988 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors.

Richmond quickly established himself as a scoring threat in the NBA. During his rookie season with the Warriors, he averaged 22 points per game, earning him the NBA Rookie of the Year award. His performance was a key component of the Warriors' high-scoring offense, known as "Run TMC," alongside teammates Tim Hardaway and Chris Mullin. This trio became famous for their fast-paced, high-scoring games, captivating fans and making the Warriors a competitive team in the Western Conference.

After three seasons with Golden State, Richmond was traded to the Sacramento Kings in 1991. It was with the Kings that he truly became the focal point of a franchise. Richmond consistently averaged over 21 points per game during his seven seasons in Sacramento, earning six consecutive All-Star selections from 1993 to 1998. His ability to score from both inside and outside made him one of the league's most reliable shooting guards. Despite the Kings' struggles to become a playoff contender during his tenure, Richmond's individual performances were consistently outstanding.

In 1996, Richmond's talents were recognized on an international stage when he was selected to be part of the United States men's basketball team, known as "Dream Team III," which competed in the Atlanta Olympics. The team won the gold medal, further cementing Richmond's status as one of the elite players of his era.

Richmond's career took another turn in 1998 when he was traded to the Washington Wizards. Although his scoring numbers began to decline, he remained a respected veteran presence on the team. After three seasons with the Wizards, Richmond signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2001. In his final NBA season, he played a limited role but achieved the ultimate team success by winning an NBA Championship in 2002, as the Lakers completed a three-peat.

Throughout his career, Richmond was known for his smooth shooting stroke, strong physical play, and ability to perform under pressure. He retired with career averages of 21 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. In recognition of his outstanding career, Richmond was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014.

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