Boeheim thinks Malachi Richardson should return to Syracuse

If it were up to the coach, Malachi Richardson would return to Syracuse for his sophomore campaign, rather than forge ahead with the NBA draft.

"I think he'll benefit from another year," Jim Boeheim told Chris Carlson of Syracuse.com. "I hope that works that way. But if not, he had a tremendous year and if it works out for him to be able to go and it turns out good, we'll be happy for him."

Richardson averaged 13.4 points per game in his first (and maybe only) college season, but on just 36.9 percent shooting from the field. A stellar NCAA tournament, however, opened the eyes of scouts across the NBA as the freshman guard led his team to the Final Four.

Richardson, who declared for the draft without an agent, has until May 25 to withdraw from the draft if he intends to return to school.

The 20-year-old is poised to become the centerpiece of Boeheim's offense next year if he's wearing a Syracuse uniform.