RICHARDS EXPLAINS REAL MADRID SNUB
08/12/2008 GB's Ryan Richards weighing up future after turning down Real Madrid.

GB youngster Ryan Richards is still weighing up his future after turning down a place at Real Madrid.

The promising forward has just completed a week of training camp with the GB senior men in Brunel, London.

And, while he did not make the 14-man party named for this week's trip to Italy, this summer was always about preparing for the future for the 17-year-old.

GB coach Chris Finch called up a number of promising youngsters, with an eye on 2012, and despite carrying a number of niggling injuries into camp, Richard did not let himself down.

Now Richards will turn his attention to next season and an offer from Finch's club side Mons in Belgium remains the only firm offer currently on the table.

Richards said: "I want to play with men this season and I want to get 20-25 minuets a game whatever the level. I just don't want to play juniors, really.

"I've pretty much said no to the Real Madrid deal becaused of the buy-out involved which is why Mons is an option because the buy-out isn't much.

"I've no doubt I would improve with Coach Finch and the levels they have - two mens' teams, a strong junior league - means there are different levels and I could play up or down.

"At the moment there is a lot of talk from other teams but if they are not going to show me anything on paper, what's the point in talking?"

According to sources, Real's offer included a ludicrous $1.5 million buy-out if Richards had left to join an NBA team.

Under NBA salary cap regulations, teams are only allowed to pay a proportion of a buy-out, leaving most of that figure coming out of the player's pocket - little wonder Madrid was not an attractive offer.

That choice also highlight where Richards' long-term aims lie.

He added: "My mind set has always been it's my dream to be a first round draft pick in 2010.

"But with all these buy-outs, NBA GMs are getting worried so players have to find the right situation. There is also talk of changing the draft age so it could be 2011 before I can go.

"I will do whatever it takes to get there and, if it is 2011, at least that gives me time to prepare and make sure I am ready.

"Hopefully, that way, I would be ready for the NBA right away and wouldn't have to come back to Europe."

By 2011, the smart money is also on Richards making a strong bid for a place in the GB national team.

He said: "This year has been a great experience for me but I didn't come in healthy, I had a few injuries so I never expected to make the team. Hopefully, next year I'll be ready."