Richardson gets Canadian call

Canadian university Keyano College will feature a new face on its basketball court this season after recruiting Collie Crane Hire South West Slammer Cory Richardson on a full athletic scholarship.

The 21-year-old guard joins second-year coach David Petroziello on the Keyano Huskies men’s basketball team, which finished fifth in the 17-team Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference in 2013-14.

Richardson will spend four years at the university studying business management while also playing an integral part in Petroziello’s plans for the Huskies.

He was recruited after uploading Slammers game film to YouTube which was spotted by the Canadian coach.

“I had a Skype interview with David and then a few days later I received a letter of offer, ” Richardson said.

“This is something I’ve been working towards for basically my entire basketball career.

“I’m always eager to learn new things that can improve my game and there are some great coaches over there so I’m looking forward to testing myself at the college level.

“It’s a stepping stone for me to get to where I want to be which is to play professionally overseas.”

Richardson represented Australia in the Under-17 World Basketball Championships in Germany in 2010 and is a previous South West Academy of Sport Sports Star of the Year recipient.

He debuted for the Slammers three years ago and credited a large part of his on-court development to current South West coach Ty Harrelson.

“Ty plays the same position as I do so the last couple of years with him as coach of the Slammers have been a real eye opener for me.”

“He is not the quickest or most athletic guy on the court but the way he plays is just so smart and I’ve been able to pick up on everything that he does out there.”

Richardson departs Australia in July ahead of the 2014-15 Canadian college basketball season which begins in October.