As fans anticipate Anthony Richardson’s debut for the Indianapolis Colts, they are spending time marveling at the quarterback’s basketball highlights.
During the pre-draft process, there was one certainty about Anthony Richardson: he’s superbly athletic. That was evident during his career at Florida, and Richardson further proved it by stealing the show at the combine. He has the kind of elite athleticism that would allow him to excel at any sport.
Football is the sport he chose, but fans are learning that Richardson is pretty good at basketball as well. It wasn’t a secret, but a recent video of Richardson dunking at a gym in Indianapolis has led to fans revisiting his explosive basketball highlights.
That’s our QB @GVOaant pic.twitter.com/dqcp48XW0L
— Christian (@C_Clark_16) June 2, 2023
Anthony Richardson’s basketball highlights resurface
In addition to football, Richardson played basketball at Eastside High School in Gainesville, Florida. According to MaxPreps, Richardson averaged 8.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.1 assist and steals, as a sophomore on varsity. As a junior, those numbers improved to 10.5 points a game, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 assist, and 0.9 steals.
Richardson didn’t just play for his school either, he was active on the AAU scene. Gervon Dexter, a defensive tackle that was drafted by the Chicago Bears this year, played at Florida with Richardson and was also his AAU basketball teammate. At this year’s combine, Dexter argued that Richardson could’ve won this year’s dunk contest.
Florida DL Gervon Dexter said he and QB Anthony Richardson played AAU basketball together. Gervon said he played power forward, but Richardson could have played any spot 1-5. Also raved about Richardson’s athleticism saying AR could’ve won the slam dunk contest this year pic.twitter.com/eUf7GaEYzj
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) March 1, 2023
Richardson didn’t play for the Gators basketball team, but that didn’t stop him from getting on the court during his time at Florida. He was a pickup game regular and was routinely seen putting down the kind of dunks that Dexter argued would win the NBA dunk contest.
There’s footage of Richardson dunking from the free throw line, doing a between the legs dunk, and also powerful tomahawk dunks against competition. Florida’s football team even put together a nice video of Richardson’s dunks.
Cleared for takeoff 🚀🚀🚀 @GVOaant pic.twitter.com/xaxR7xCFXm
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) April 16, 2021
As great as it is to watch Richardson display his athleticism on the basketball court, the Colts will probably now ask him to cool it down. All the NFL players that love playing basketball have gone through it, and Richardson likely won’t be any different. With him hopefully being the team’s franchise quarterback, the Colts won't want to risk any injuries.