Jase Richardson feels ‘a whole new energy’ in Orlando as the Magic sophomore finds a second speed

ORLANDO — Oct. 14, 2026 — Jase Richardson spent Wednesday afternoon in Sanford, Florida, running drills with about 80 kids from local Boys & Girls Clubs. A night earlier he had been on the Kia Center floor for a 132-116 preseason win over Cleveland, and the second-year Orlando Magic guard said the noise from that exhibition crowd told him something about the season ahead.

“I feel like there’s just a whole new energy going around the city. Even at the preseason game yesterday, there were a lot of people there… I think the city is super excited for this new season and we are looking forward to it as well.”

Each child at the Westside Community Center clinic got a customized Magic jersey to mark National Jersey Day. Richardson, who turns 21 on Friday, said it was not long ago that he was the one attending camps.

“It’s always special to try and give back to the community, especially to the youth. I always feel like they are the future. Just trying to give them as much wisdom and any knowledge I know.”

A second speed

On the court, Richardson’s preseason has been about tempo. The 25th pick in the 2025 draft out of Michigan State started Orlando’s first two exhibitions while Jalen Suggs was out with an illness, averaging 7.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 24.2 minutes while shooting 54.5 percent from the field. He scored 12 points with four assists in Sunday’s loss at Cleveland.

Asked where he had improved most, he pointed to pace rather than any single skill.

“I think just slowing down. I think my pace has got a lot better from last year. I think last year I was stuck on one speed. I think this year I’m being a lot more patient, taking my time, and switching it on and off for sure.”

That patience showed up in the second half at Cleveland, when he attacked open driving lanes against bigger defenders and kicked to shooters for several threes. After that game he also said the Magic had to match the Cavaliers’ physicality on the boxout, and that guarding James Harden and Donovan Mitchell on the same night was the kind of experience a young defender needs.

Where he fits now

Suggs returned Tuesday and the regular starting five of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane, Suggs and Wendell Carter Jr. looked like itself again: Orlando went up 17-8 before the first substitution and led 72-52 at halftime. That pushes Richardson back toward a bench role under new coach Sean Sweeney, where his 6-foot-1 frame, ball pressure and active hands have become as much a part of his case for minutes as his shooting touch.

The Magic close the preseason Friday night at home against the Miami Heat — on Richardson’s 21st birthday — before the games start to count.