Boys’ basketball: Oak Park’s Ezekiel Richards is 6-11 and still growing

Wearing size 16 shoes, Ezekiel Richards of Oak Park is listed at 6 feet 11. He’s 16 years old and a junior. And he says he’s still growing and could make it to 7-2.

Don’t think for one minute he’s embellishing. He’s been on a growth spurt since freshman year. He’s growing so fast that he had his right arm in a sling on Wednesday after hurting his collarbone on a dunk. He’s supposed to be back practicing soon.

He could be a big contributor this season in basketball for Oak Park, which has two of the best juniors in Riley Battin and Wes Slajchert.

Richards didn’t play much last season but he has been making very good progress, Coach Aaron Shaw said.

“Looking for Zeke to protect the paint, clean up the boards and keep growing,” he said. “He is a hard worker, so the more games he plays, the better he will become.”

Richards’ brother, Makai, is a 6-3 freshman. Makai is the lucky “little brother” who’s getting pants, shirts and jackets passed down every time his big brother outgrows his wardrobe.

And Richards gets help on his large pants, because his mother works for the Ellen DeGeneres show and knows all about wardrobe issues.

Ezekiel Richards’ size 16 shoe

(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times )