But for weeks last season, he kept Blue Demons coach Pat Kennedy and college basketball fans in Chicago hanging by an emotional thread. Kennedy presented a brave front, but he knew what one talented freshman from the south side of town had done for his program. Richardson had scored and rebounded like no 18-year-old in recent history, helped fill the city's superstar void left by the retirement of Michael Jordan, offered some hope to the pitiful state of Chicago's pro sports franchises and brought national recognition to DePaul after years of considerable disinterest.

	Richardson dominated under the glass, averaging 10.5 rebounds per game.

So when Richardson didn't tell Kennedy of his decision until the day of the announcement, it seemed like cruel and unusual punishment.

"I did the same thing when I made my commitment here in high school. I guess I do enjoy it," Richardson said, laughing. "No, listen, if it was bad news, I would have told coach Kennedy right away. But since it was positive, I decided not to tell him."

When it came time to decide his future, Richardson consulted with his father, his father's girlfriend and his sister. That was going to be the extent of a tight circle of people in the know. But then Jordan happened to be visiting Richardson's neighborhood a few days before the announcement, and there was no way the freshman was going to be able to keep the decision from one of his heroes.

When Jordan listens, people talk.

The reaction after Richardson's press conference was almost immediate. No one knew Kennedy had that kind of vertical jump, but maybe he hadn't had that kind of euphoria before. Strangers stopped Richardson on the street to thank him. Friends called and wrote letters. E-mails poured in. NBA officials said he made the right move, but then, they always say that before drafting the next teenager available.

Anyone who had studied Richardson and his background should have had a decent idea that he would stay in school. His father, Lee, is a no-nonsense motorman for the Chicago Transit Authority who still makes Richardson do the dishes and mow the lawn during the summer. Richardson's sister, Rochelle, is studying for her MBA.

The money could wait, they told him.

He listened, because they are the biggest influences in his life. He listens to other voices, too, softer voices still. He has to listen a little harder to hear them. When he shoots free throws during games, he whispers the names of his grandmother, brother and mother. His mother, Emma, died of breast cancer in 1992. His brother, Bernard, was shot to death the same year. His grandmother, Ada, died the year before in her sleep.

	“	I've heard people say that Quentin has been on more magazine covers than anybody who has ever played here, which is remarkable when you think of George Mikan and Mark Aguirre. ”
		— DePaul coach Pat Kennedy

This is what opponents are up against. Richardson has a lot of energy behind him. This is what his mother, his grandmother and his brother would have wanted him to do, he's sure. He stayed, and DePaul is better because of it. The Blue Demons are No. 20 in the preseason ESPN/USA Today coaches poll. Had he left school after his freshman year, Richardson likely would have been a top-20 pick in the NBA draft. Kennedy believes his star forward has a good chance to be the top pick in next year's draft.

These days, Richardson doesn't have to look in the mirror to see his face. He can go to his local newsstand and see himself on the cover of any number of preseason magazines.

"I've heard people say that Quentin has been on more magazine covers than anybody who has ever played here, which is remarkable when you think of George Mikan and Mark Aguirre," Kennedy said. "Nationally, he's had great impact for us.

"Locally, just his impact of coming here was realized a year ago. There was an increase in tickets and enthusiasm and media interest in the program. But nationally, I think he's brought a clear recognition that DePaul is going to be back as a player, that we're going to have a chance to recruit kids of that caliber and they're going to have a chance to succeed here.

"When you have that story starting out again, it just helps you build everything back up a lot quicker. We could not have built this program back up without him. We would have found another one of him somewhere along the way to do it with this magnitude."

That wouldn't have been easy. Richardson backed up all his high school honors by averaging 18.9 points a game and leading the nation's freshmen in rebounding (10.5). He was voted the Conference USA Player of the Year.

By getting Richardson, DePaul has been able to attract the type of Chicago-area players who had been ignoring the school for years. Forward Bobby Simmons and center Lance Williams both committed to DePaul about the same time as Richardson last year, and the three friends had good seasons for the Blue Demons. This year, Steven Hunter, a highly touted 7-foot-1 freshman from suburban Maywood, will play right away while Williams recovers from a broken foot. DePaul has already secured a commitment from a top Chicago prospect, Andre Brown from Leo H.S., and is in the running for two other stars from the Chicago area.

Richardson takes more than a little pride in knowing he played a role in the resurrection of the program.

"It makes me feel good just knowing we were the class that started bringing back all the Chicago kids and the other great players from around the country to DePaul," he said. "That's a big accomplishment."

Now he has other goals. The Blue Demons will try to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1992. Richardson will play shooting guard more often this season because, at 6-foot-5, he'll see time at that spot in the NBA. He needs to learn to score off the dribble.

"Quentin right now is just shooting the heck out of the ball," Kennedy said. "That was one of those quote, unquote question marks. Now he's pulling up off the dribble and making bank shots from 18 feet. We didn't see that last year."

One more season. Richardson almost surely will take his act to the NBA next year. There won't be any surprises for Kennedy or Chicago. They can appreciate him for a year and watch him go.

He and the Blue Demons won't sneak up on anyone this season.

"You know you got to play that much harder because a lot of people are going to be watching you a lot closer this year," Richardson said.

Rick Morrissey of the Chicago Tribune is a regular contributor to ESPN.com.