DJ Richards, the best shooter in the Southland Conference for the last two seasons, will return to McNeese State next season. 

Richards made his decision public on social media on Monday evening. 

The 6-foot-4 sharpshooter is one of the big reasons the Cowboys posted a 58-11 record over the last two years and won back-to-back Southland Conference titles. 

“I feel like I have unfinished business left,” said Richards. “I did not play very well in the tournament and would like another shot at it.”

Since transferring from Texas-San Antonio after his freshman season, Richards has become a fan favorite at the Legacy Center with his long-range shooting. He has carved up Southland defenses the last two seasons, as McNeese has gone 40-2 against SLC opponents.

Bothered early last season with a finger injury, Richards bounced back to become a weapon for the Cowboys, finishing with three 20-plus point games. He hit on 35 of 58 (60.3 percent) over the final nine games before the NCAA Tournament. 

On Feb. 24, in a home game against Texas-Rio Grande Valley, Richards scored his 1,000th career point. He is on pace to set the all-time shooting record in the Southland, as he currently holds a 45% touch on 3-point attempts.

Richards scored in double digits twenty times during the season, including in nine of the final 10 games. He hit a 3-pointer in 11 straight games and made a career-high seven treys on Dec. 28 in the conference opener against New Orleans.

He followed that up nine days later by hitting 6 of 7 vs. Northwestern State. 

Richard becomes the fourth Cowboy to tell new head coach Bill Armstrong he would return.

“A lot of things played into my decision,” said Richards. “I talked to coach Armstrong and he has a good plan. I like what I heard. 

SLC Player of the Year Javon Garcia made his decision known last week. Garcia led McNeese in scoring and became the second Cowboy to win the league’s top honor in as many years, following Shahada Wells the prior season.

That marked the first time McNeese players won the honor in back-to-back seasons. 

A day later, sophomore guard T’Johnn Brown went on social media to announce his return. Also returning is freshman guard Howard Gaskins, who redshirted last season.

“We are excited to have those guys who have been a big part of the success here the last two years back,” said Armstrong. “They deserve a chance to defend what they have won.”

As of Monday afternoon, only forward Jerome Brewer had officially entered the transfer portal. Quadir Cooper, Sincere Parker, and Alyn Breed are expected to join Brewer in the portal, which has been open for a full week. 

Armstrong has already received a big commitment from 6-7 forward Jacolb Cole from Oklahoma. Cole played for Armstrong at Link Academy during his senior season in high school. 

Armstrong said he is first working on filling the holes in the paint left by Joe Charles, Bryant Selabangue, and two-time SLC Defensive Player of the Year Christian Shumate’s graduations. 

“That is what we are looking at first,” said Armstrong. “We are losing a lot down there.”

Charles said he would like to return if the NCAA does as expected and grants all players a fifth year. However, that decision may not come in time. 

That would mean the Cowboys still have about eight roster spots open. Armstrong would like to have them filled by mid-April, but that might be pushing it. 

“It is important we get the right pieces first,” said Armstrong. “You have to make sure you build a team.”

Armstrong will continue building his roster and coaching staff throughout the next month.