My dad made $100m and won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest twice – now I’m out to emulate his March Madness triumph

The star player on Michigan State may look familiar. That’s because Jase Richardson is the spitting image of his father, Jason. Richardson (L) and head coach Tom Izzo (R) are trying to replicate what Izzo and Richardson’s father did together in 2000, and that’s win the national championship 25 years ago, Jason helped lead the Michigan State Spartans and head coach Tom Izzo to college basketball glory as a freshman. They won the national championship in 2000. It was Izzo’s first and the university’s second. 25 years later, Richardson’s son Jase is trying to do what he once did. Between those 25 years from then to now, Jason was able to have a lucrative and successful NBA career. He was the fifth overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft and went on to play for 14 years. He suited up for the Golden State Warriors, Charlotte Bobcats, Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic, and Philadelphia 76ers. In that time, Jason made over $100 million. He was known for his acrobatic and athletic jump-out-the-gym ability, having won the Slam Dunk Contest not once, but twice. He was a showstopper. And now his 19-year-old son is trying to follow in his footsteps. Richardson’s name became synonymous with high-flying dunksGetty Richardson and Izzo have a relationship that goes back nearly three decadesGetty These days, Richardson can be found on the sideline, cheering for his sonGetty Jase is the star freshman leading the Spartans into the Sweet 16 and hoping to bring title number three back to East Lansing. Izzo has made jokes referencing the father-son duo throughout the season, most notably when the 2000 championship team was honored during a home game this season. “We got a lot of play out of a lot of different guys and of course, Jase had a career night,” Izzo said. “When he got that block late, it was a hell of a block, and all the guys were sitting behind me and I turned around to Jason and said, ‘Jason who?’ “You know, it was Jase’s night, and how exciting for him and for them and his family, but for us too.” The 70-year-old head coach has seen a lot of basketball in his day. March Madness Top Stories Ranking the greatest players in NCAA men’s March Madness history – from Michael Jordan to Magic Johnson ‘This sister is special’ – Stephen A. Smith identifies rising star who can challenge Caitlin Clark’s WNBA dominance March Madness legends who are still balling in NBA today – from Steph Curry to Ja Morant NCAA March Madness is bigger and better than the College Football Playoff – the springtime phenomenon is bigger than ever Biggest March Madness upsets in history of NCAA Tournament – top seeds humiliated as small schools enjoy their moment But having the chance (and longevity) to coach one of his player’s kids is a special kind of feeling. Before the season began, Jason gave Jase advice on how to play for the fiery head coach. “Just expect Izzo’s yelling, that’s the one thing he told me about him,” Jase said on what his father told him. “I’ve been watching a couple games, I’ve been seeing it so I’ve gotta get ready for that.” Now is the time for the younger Richardson to carry his father’s legacy and help the man who once helped his father. “This just feels like one big family. Growing up knowing Izzo, it’s been like a family bond,” Jase said. The Spartans are two wins away from the Final Four, and all eyes will be on Izzo and the younger Richardson. While a little bit of that 2000 national championship magic will be in the crowd, beaming with joy, watching his son hopefully do what he once did, and that’s cut down some nets. How to watch March Madness in the UK *If you click a link in this box we will earn affiliate revenue March Madness is one of the most exciting times of the year for basketball fans, with a total of 68 teams battling it out to become the Division 1 college champions. This year UConn have the chance to become only the second team ever to complete a March Madness three-peat, having emerged victorious for the last two years. talkSPORT will have the latest news on the tournament, but for UK basketball fans the way to watch is through Sky Sports. The broadcaster will be showing EVERY March Madness game through their Sky Sports + streaming service. Click here to sign up to a Sky Sports subscription, or read our article on the best Sky Sports deals available now.

Mar 27, 2025 - 21:16
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My dad made $100m and won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest twice – now I’m out to emulate his March Madness triumph

The star player on Michigan State may look familiar.

That’s because Jase Richardson is the spitting image of his father, Jason.

Richardson (L) and head coach Tom Izzo (R) are trying to replicate what Izzo and Richardson’s father did together in 2000, and that’s win the national championship

25 years ago, Jason helped lead the Michigan State Spartans and head coach Tom Izzo to college basketball glory as a freshman.

They won the national championship in 2000.

It was Izzo’s first and the university’s second.

25 years later, Richardson’s son Jase is trying to do what he once did.

Between those 25 years from then to now, Jason was able to have a lucrative and successful NBA career.

He was the fifth overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft and went on to play for 14 years. He suited up for the Golden State Warriors, Charlotte Bobcats, Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic, and Philadelphia 76ers.

In that time, Jason made over $100 million.

He was known for his acrobatic and athletic jump-out-the-gym ability, having won the Slam Dunk Contest not once, but twice.

He was a showstopper.

And now his 19-year-old son is trying to follow in his footsteps.

LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 14:  Jason Richardson #23 of the Golden State Warriors goes for a dunk during the Sprite Rising Stars Slam Dunk Competition on February 14, 2004 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.   NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Richardson’s name became synonymous with high-flying dunks
Getty
31 Mar 2001:  Head coach Tom Izzo of Michigan State talks with his player Jason Richardson #23 during the semifinal of the Men's NCAA Basketball Final Four tournament against Arizona at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr/ALLSPORT
Richardson and Izzo have a relationship that goes back nearly three decades
Getty
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 15: Jase Richardson #11 of the Michigan State Spartans (not pictured) father, Jason Richardson, looks on during the second half in the Big Ten men's basketball tournament semifinals against the Wisconsin Badgers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 15, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.  (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
These days, Richardson can be found on the sideline, cheering for his son
Getty

Jase is the star freshman leading the Spartans into the Sweet 16 and hoping to bring title number three back to East Lansing.

Izzo has made jokes referencing the father-son duo throughout the season, most notably when the 2000 championship team was honored during a home game this season.

“We got a lot of play out of a lot of different guys and of course, Jase had a career night,” Izzo said.

“When he got that block late, it was a hell of a block, and all the guys were sitting behind me and I turned around to Jason and said, ‘Jason who?’

“You know, it was Jase’s night, and how exciting for him and for them and his family, but for us too.”

The 70-year-old head coach has seen a lot of basketball in his day.

March Madness Top Stories

Ranking the greatest players in NCAA men’s March Madness history – from Michael Jordan to Magic Johnson

‘This sister is special’ – Stephen A. Smith identifies rising star who can challenge Caitlin Clark’s WNBA dominance

March Madness legends who are still balling in NBA today – from Steph Curry to Ja Morant

NCAA March Madness is bigger and better than the College Football Playoff – the springtime phenomenon is bigger than ever

Biggest March Madness upsets in history of NCAA Tournament – top seeds humiliated as small schools enjoy their moment

But having the chance (and longevity) to coach one of his player’s kids is a special kind of feeling.

Before the season began, Jason gave Jase advice on how to play for the fiery head coach.

“Just expect Izzo’s yelling, that’s the one thing he told me about him,” Jase said on what his father told him.

“I’ve been watching a couple games, I’ve been seeing it so I’ve gotta get ready for that.”

Now is the time for the younger Richardson to carry his father’s legacy and help the man who once helped his father.

“This just feels like one big family. Growing up knowing Izzo, it’s been like a family bond,” Jase said.

The Spartans are two wins away from the Final Four, and all eyes will be on Izzo and the younger Richardson.

While a little bit of that 2000 national championship magic will be in the crowd, beaming with joy, watching his son hopefully do what he once did, and that’s cut down some nets.

How to watch March Madness in the UK

*If you click a link in this box we will earn affiliate revenue

March Madness is one of the most exciting times of the year for basketball fans, with a total of 68 teams battling it out to become the Division 1 college champions.

This year UConn have the chance to become only the second team ever to complete a March Madness three-peat, having emerged victorious for the last two years.

talkSPORT will have the latest news on the tournament, but for UK basketball fans the way to watch is through Sky Sports. The broadcaster will be showing EVERY March Madness game through their Sky Sports + streaming service.

Click here to sign up to a Sky Sports subscription, or read our article on the best Sky Sports deals available now.