LAS VEGAS ? He calmly strolled into Thomas & Mack Arena on Tuesday, hat backward, sunglasses on, just two hours before the San Diego State men’s basketball team’s biggest game of the season. While many doubted his team’s chances, there were no noticeable signs of nerves on Jason Richey’s face.
He knew what SDSU had to do, he knew what he had to do and most importantly, he knew how to do it.
But that’s the question: How did he do it?
Many thought SDSU point guard Jason Richey wouldn’t be able to play at all, let alone play for 44 minutes, in the Aztecs’ opening round game against Wyoming.
It was less than two weeks ago when Richey severely sprained his left ankle against Tulsa. The injury forced him out of the Tulsa contest and took him out of action for SDSU’s final three contests.
When asked if he’d be ready to play when the WAC Tournament came around, Richey said, “I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that I can.”
So he did.
And following the Aztecs’ embarrassing loss to San Jose State last Saturday ? a trip that Richey didn’t accompany the team on ? Richey met the team at Cox Arena ready to practice.
Never mind that just a week ago he’d suffered an injury that normally takes three to four weeks to properly heal.
It didn’t matter. He had to play. Without him, SDSU’s chances for advancing in the tournament were about as slim as their lineup.
“When I hurt the ankle, I wasn’t really sure if I’d be able to come back and practice ? let alone play in the tournament ? but I had to come back,” Richey said. “During the two weeks that I sat out, I did everything I could to make sure I’d be back.
“I was rehabbing and getting treatment on the ankle every day. I had to. I didn’t want to end my college career like that.”
Richey’s collegiate playing career, as well as the Aztecs’ season, was extended, as a result of his desire to return to action.
In his first game back since the ankle injury, Richey and SDSU were matched up against a heavily favored Wyoming team. It was a team with two quick guards who provided a stern test for his ankle.
Would he be rusty? Would he be tentative? Would his shot be there?
The answers to all three of these questions were answered on the Aztecs’ second possession of the game, when Richey dribbled to what has become a familiar spot behind the three-point line. The senior guard proceeded not only to drain a three but give his team assurance that he was back and his ankle was fine.
“Seeing (Jason) out there, directing traffic and hitting three-pointers was good to see; just having him out there gave us so much more confidence,” fellow senior Kevin Betts said. “He was the difference in our win over Wyoming. Without him who knows what would have happened.”
Fortunately for the Aztecs, they will never have to find out.
