a two-way freshman spark with pro-level defensive juice
In the 2024-25 season, Mykelle Richards broke through as a true freshman for Long Beach State, averaging 7.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and a team-high 49 steals while starting 20 games and shooting 48.3% from the field. Her calling card is obvious: she rebounds, runs, and defends like she means it — the staff specifically praised her as an immediate impact player and one of the best defenders on the West Coast. The wrinkle? Her free-throw touch (50.0%) and recent injury setback mean teams should value the upside, but build in some patience.
