May 5, 2011

GREENVILLE, N.C. --- Akeem Richmond, a 6-foot-1 guard who played the past two seasons at the University of Rhode Island, will transfer to East Carolina University announced head men's basketball coach Jeff Lebo following the receipt of his financial aid agreement as a full scholarship beneficiary. He must sit out the 2011-12 season in compliance with NCAA rules regarding transfer student-athletes but will have two years of eligibility remaining.

A native of Sanford, N.C., Richmond graduated from Southern Lee High School as the second-leading scorer in the history of North Carolina high school basketball with 2,846 points. He led the state in scoring as sophomore, junior and senior and was a three-time Associated Press all-state selection.

"We are extremely excited to have Akeem coming back to the state of North Carolina," Lebo said. "He had a storied high school career and is a proven college player. We are delighted to have him become a Pirate."

Richmond started 26 games last season as a sophomore, averaging 9.3 points per game and leading the Rams in 3-point field goals made with 75. Richmond ranked third in the Atlantic 10 with 2.2 3-pointers per game made. He scored doubles figures in 14 games, including a career-high 25 points against Lafayette and 20 versus Charlotte.

As a freshman in 2009-10, he was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team and became just the third freshman in league history to sink more than 80 3-pointers in a season (81). Richmond completed his initial season ranked fourth nationally among all freshmen in 3-point field goals made, while averaging 8.7 points in 36 games. He was named A-10 Rookie-of-the-Week twice.

Richmond, whose father Eric was a member of the Pirate football program under Ed Emory, is the fifth player to commit to ECU for the 2011-12 season joining junior college transfers Shamarr Bowden and Maurice Kemp along with prep signees Paris Roberts-Campbell and Paul Stone.