Pirates to get transfer Akeem Richardson from Rhode Island

Richardson will have to sit out the 2011-12 season

Jeff Lebo and his staff have added another piece to the East Carolina men’s basketball puzzle. Lebo announced Thursday that guard Akeem Richardson will be transferring from the University of Rhode Island to join the Pirates’ roster.

The 6’1” Richardson was a three-time Associated Press All-State selection during his career at Southern Lee High School in Sanford, NC. He led the state in scoring during each of those three seasons and finished his stellar career with 2,846 points.

Richardson averaged 9.3 points per contest while starting 26 of 34 games as a sophomore for Rhode Island. He led the Rams in three-pointers made with 75 and scored a career-high 25 points against Lafayette.

As a freshman, he was named to the Atlantic 10’s All-Rookie team after hitting 81 three-pointers and averaging 8.7 points.

East Carolina was among the schools to offer Richardson out of high school. Besides ECU and Rhode Island, he had offers from programs such as Syracuse, South Florida, Charlotte and Western Kentucky.

Richardson’s father, Eric, played football for the Pirates under Coach Ed Emory in the early 1980’s.