Long Beach State University Athletics
Beach Basketball Inks Mykelle Richards to a National Letter of Intent
11/11/2023 10:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Richards is a 6-foot-1 forward who will join Long Beach State as a freshman for the 2024-25 season
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State Head Women's Basketball Coach Amy Wright announced the signing of incoming freshman forward Mykelle Richards who will be joining the Beach for the 2024-25 season.
"Mykelle is an immediate impact player that fits our style of play," said Wright. "She loves to rebound and run the floor, and is one of the best defenders on the west coast. Her desire to be great in everything she does on and off the floor is the energy and person that we want here at the Beach.
"Mykelle plays for a championship team and a championship coach at Etiwanda High School. I know the expectations and responsibilities of winning are already learned and will transition smoothly to The Big West. Mykelle believes in everything we do at Long Beach State, and I am ecstatic she will be joining us for four years as the foundation of Beach Women's Basketball."
Richards is a 6-foot-1 forward who is coming to Long Beach State after prepping for two years at Etiwanda High School after playing her first two years at Cajon High School.
At Etiwanda High School, Richards played under Long Beach State alum Stan Delus. With the Eagles she helped the team capture the 2023 Baseline League Championship. EHS went on to win the 2023 Section 7 Championship as well as the CIF Open Division State Championship. The team was the 2023 CIF Southern Section Open Division Runner Up, and Richards was selected to the All-Baseline League Second Team. The 2023 Etiwanda Girls Basketball team when on to be named 2023 Cal-Hi Girls Basketball State Team of the Year and SB Live ranked them the No. 3 team in the nation.
In her junior year at Etiwanda, Richards helped the Eagles capture three tournament championships as the squad won the 2022 West Coast Jamboree, Troy Classic Tournament, and Battle at the Beach Tournament. She finished the 2022 season averaging 15.8 points per game and 9.8 rebounds per game.
Prior to her two years at Etiwanda, Richards played two years at Cajon High School where she was named 2021 Female Athlete of the Year. A two-time All-Citrus Belt League First Team selection, Richards helped the Cowboys capture the 2021 CBL Championship. That year, the Cowboys were CIF 2AA Runners up and Richards was named to the All-CIF 2AA First Team and was a Cal-Hi All-State selection after averaging 13.7 points per game, 9.8 rebounds per game, 2.3 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game.
In addition, Richards played club for FBC where her squad advanced to the 2022 Why Not Nike Nationals 16U Semifinals. In 2023, she was named the USJN California Classic Top Standout as well as to the Big Dance All-Tournament Team 17U Super Division. Lastly, Ballislife All-American Camp Class of 2024 tabbed her as the sixth ranked player (89.6).
Richards plans to major in forensic psychology at Long Beach State University.
"Mykelle is an immediate impact player that fits our style of play," said Wright. "She loves to rebound and run the floor, and is one of the best defenders on the west coast. Her desire to be great in everything she does on and off the floor is the energy and person that we want here at the Beach.
"Mykelle plays for a championship team and a championship coach at Etiwanda High School. I know the expectations and responsibilities of winning are already learned and will transition smoothly to The Big West. Mykelle believes in everything we do at Long Beach State, and I am ecstatic she will be joining us for four years as the foundation of Beach Women's Basketball."
Richards is a 6-foot-1 forward who is coming to Long Beach State after prepping for two years at Etiwanda High School after playing her first two years at Cajon High School.
At Etiwanda High School, Richards played under Long Beach State alum Stan Delus. With the Eagles she helped the team capture the 2023 Baseline League Championship. EHS went on to win the 2023 Section 7 Championship as well as the CIF Open Division State Championship. The team was the 2023 CIF Southern Section Open Division Runner Up, and Richards was selected to the All-Baseline League Second Team. The 2023 Etiwanda Girls Basketball team when on to be named 2023 Cal-Hi Girls Basketball State Team of the Year and SB Live ranked them the No. 3 team in the nation.
In her junior year at Etiwanda, Richards helped the Eagles capture three tournament championships as the squad won the 2022 West Coast Jamboree, Troy Classic Tournament, and Battle at the Beach Tournament. She finished the 2022 season averaging 15.8 points per game and 9.8 rebounds per game.
Prior to her two years at Etiwanda, Richards played two years at Cajon High School where she was named 2021 Female Athlete of the Year. A two-time All-Citrus Belt League First Team selection, Richards helped the Cowboys capture the 2021 CBL Championship. That year, the Cowboys were CIF 2AA Runners up and Richards was named to the All-CIF 2AA First Team and was a Cal-Hi All-State selection after averaging 13.7 points per game, 9.8 rebounds per game, 2.3 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game.
In addition, Richards played club for FBC where her squad advanced to the 2022 Why Not Nike Nationals 16U Semifinals. In 2023, she was named the USJN California Classic Top Standout as well as to the Big Dance All-Tournament Team 17U Super Division. Lastly, Ballislife All-American Camp Class of 2024 tabbed her as the sixth ranked player (89.6).
Richards plans to major in forensic psychology at Long Beach State University.
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