St. Johns Kadary Richmond leaves Rick Pitino gushing as strong play continues with rare trey

WASHINGTON — Kadary Richmond’s rise continued Tuesday night, and it included a rare 3-pointer for the lead guard.As Deivon Smith continued to rest his bruised right shoulder, Richmond picked up the slack, setting the tone in No.15 St.

John’s 66-41 blitzing of Georgetown at Capital One Arena.Richmond scored 11 of his 13 points in the Johnnies’ dominant first half, and even sank a triple.It was his first 3-pointer since November.

He also had six rebounds, three blocks and two steals.“I wouldn’t say him being out led to that,” Richmond said of Smith’s absence and his improved play of late.“Just knowing I’m a better player than the way I started the season and just working at it every day.

So that’s what it really is.”In the Red Storm’s current seven-game winning streak, Richmond has scored in double figures six times.He’s averaging 12.2 points, 5.2 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 2.5 steals, looking every bit like the impact transfer most expected.Pitino gushed about Richmond’s play after this latest win, raving about the senior’s progress of late and joking about his made 3-pointer.“Now all of a sudden he thinks he’s Steph Curry Jr.

He made it.We’re going to keep working at it,” Pitino said.

“He’s just a remarkable player.There’s so many things he does that you all don’t see.“Here’s what I love about him: He knows when he makes a mistake, and he immediately puts his thumb up when I get on him.

He knows it already.Always owns up to every mistake.

That’s a great quality.”Smith is nearly ready to return from his bruised right shoulder.He practiced on Monday and went through a full individual workout on Tuesday.

Pitino estimated that his chances of playing Saturday against Providence are between 60 percent and 70 percent.“He’s ready to play.He’s just psychologically afraid to get hit,” Pitino said.

“He’s physically ready to play.We’ve erred on the side of caution.”Since suffering the injury in the...