Reigan Richardson Named Blue Devil of the Week as She Reflects on Her Duke Legacy and Begins Her Pro Journey

Reigan Richardson never wanted to just blend in. When she first arrived at Duke, the Georgia native had a vision that stretched far beyond merely contributing. She wanted to lead, to grow, and to leave the kind of legacy that would be felt even after she traded in her college jersey for a professional one. Now, as the newly named Blue Devil of the Week, Richardson finds herself at a critical juncture—reflecting on all she accomplished during her collegiate years while preparing for the next chapter of her basketball journey.

There’s something poetic about the way Richardson’s time at Duke unfolded. A player whose game is defined by rhythm, control, and confidence, she steadily carved out her space in the program under head coach Kara Lawson. She didn’t demand the spotlight; instead, it found her through her consistency, leadership, and ability to deliver when it mattered most.

“Reigan has been the heartbeat of this team in ways most people never get to see,” Lawson said in a recent interview. “She’s a competitor, a worker, and someone who’s grown into one of the most respected voices in our locker room. She earned everything.”

Richardson began her college career at the University of South Carolina before transferring to Duke, a decision that shaped the course of her basketball journey. The move wasn’t just about minutes on the court or touches of the ball—it was about finding the right environment, the right system, and a coaching staff that could unlock her full potential. At Duke, she found all of that and more.

Her numbers were solid throughout her career, but stats only tell a fraction of Richardson’s story. She was a steady presence in Duke’s backcourt, often guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter scorer while also serving as a reliable option offensively. Her jump shot was smooth, her footwork sharp, and her ability to read the floor made her an essential piece in Duke’s defensive-minded identity.

In her final season with the Blue Devils, Richardson averaged double figures and hit the 1,000-point milestone—a benchmark that means more than just a number. It’s a testament to her persistence and growth, especially considering the hurdles she had to clear in transferring programs and adjusting to new roles.

“I never took any of it for granted,” Richardson said. “From every practice to every film session to every game, I tried to give this program everything I had. Duke became home, and it made me better in every way.”

Her maturity and leadership blossomed most during her senior campaign. With injuries and lineup adjustments impacting Duke’s season, Richardson’s steadiness became vital. She embraced the moments where her team needed her to take over, not just by scoring, but by directing traffic, motivating her teammates, and setting the tone on both ends of the court.

Off the floor, Richardson’s impact was just as profound. She was known for her mentorship of younger players and her involvement in community engagement initiatives through Duke Athletics. Whether it was reading to local elementary students, volunteering in Durham, or speaking on panels about student-athlete mental health, she was never hesitant to use her platform.

“She’s always been someone who gives back,” teammate Taina Mair said. “Reigan understands the responsibility that comes with being a Duke athlete. She’s a leader by example, but she’s also incredibly intentional with how she supports those around her.”

As she transitions to the professional ranks, Richardson’s journey offers inspiration. She entered the WNBA Draft not as the flashiest name, but as a player whose fundamentals, mindset, and versatility stood out to scouts. That kind of profile—grounded, team-oriented, and experienced—has increasingly become valuable in a league where every possession matters and every role must be executed with precision.

Richardson was selected in the later rounds of the 2025 WNBA Draft, a moment she described as “a dream realized.” While her path to a roster spot won’t be easy, she approaches it the same way she approached her college career—one rep, one play, one opportunity at a time.

“I know what it’s like to not be the most hyped name, and I’ve always been okay with that,” Richardson said. “What matters to me is doing the work and showing that I belong. Duke prepared me for this moment in every way.”

That preparation isn’t just physical—it’s mental and emotional, too. Playing in the ACC against some of the best players in the country, facing defensive schemes designed to slow her down, and learning to lead under pressure molded her into a professional long before she heard her name called on draft night.

Her former coach believes she’s only scratching the surface.

“There’s a quiet toughness to Reigan,” Lawson said. “She’s not going to be outworked. And in the pros, that mentality goes a long way.”

For Richardson, the transition to the WNBA is about more than just making a roster. It’s about proving that her skill set—marked by tenacity, vision, and adaptability—translates at the highest level. She knows there are still aspects of her game that need sharpening, but if her track record at Duke is any indication, she’ll rise to the challenge.

“I’m always looking for ways to evolve,” she said. “The pro game is different, and I’m ready to study it, embrace it, and find ways to contribute. I’m not coming in expecting anything to be handed to me. I’m here to work.”

Work has always defined her. Whether it was in summer workouts, late-night shooting sessions, or extra film study, Richardson approached every aspect of her craft with diligence. That commitment became a model for younger players at Duke and helped build a culture of accountability and excellence.

Now, her time at Duke is complete, but her impact remains. The Blue Devil of the Week honor isn’t just a send-off—it’s a reflection of her lasting contributions to a program that values development, leadership, and character as much as it does victories.

When asked what she’ll miss most, Richardson didn’t talk about the games or the crowds. Instead, she spoke about the people—the teammates, the coaches, the support staff, the fans who believed in her from the beginning.

“It’s the relationships that I’ll carry with me forever,” she said. “Basketball is what brought us together, but it’s the connections that made it all so special. Duke gave me a family, and I’ll always be grateful for that.”

As she takes her next steps, the Duke community will undoubtedly be watching, cheering, and celebrating her progress. The professional world may just be meeting Reigan Richardson, but for those who followed her journey in Durham, her story has already left a lasting imprint.

In a sport defined by stars, statistics, and highlight reels, Richardson’s story is a reminder of the deeper qualities that drive success: resilience, humility, and an unwavering commitment to growth. Those traits carried her through college, and now, they’ll guide her into the next phase of her career.

For Duke, Reigan Richardson is more than just this week’s honoree—she’s a symbol of what the program strives to represent. For the WNBA, she’s a rising player ready to prove she belongs. And for herself, she’s a dreamer turned doer, walking into a future she earned one step at a time.