Since leaving Florida, Will Richard has found an NBA home with the Golden State Warriors. Despite being a second-round pick, he has quickly found a way to get consistent minutes under Steve Kerr and has been one of the early steals of the 2025 NBA Draft.
As his role increases, fans are learning more and more about Richard, but he revealed this week a nickname given to him that is very fitting for the former Gator.
Will Richard lights it up with Golden State
Richard spoke with 95.7 The Game, based out of San Francisco, and spoke on how he is fitting in with the team and revealed what nickname his new teammates have given him:
"They call Al [Horford] 'Big Gator,' so I'm 'Baby Gator' right now. It's either 'Rook' or 'Baby Gator.'"
In a circle of life moment, Richard is teammates with former Florida great Al Horford, who signed with Golden State in the offseason after a stint with Boston.
If you are keeping score at home, Horford is in his 19th year in the NBA, while Richard is in his first. When Horford and the Gators won their first national title in 2006, Richard was 3 years old.
And Richard also spoke on what it's like playing with the veteran Golden State squad that has guys like Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler:
"I grew up watching these guys. To be able to witness their greatness every game, every practice, it's a blessing to be a part of. I take a step back everyday and realize how thankful I am to be in this situation."
Six games into his NBA career, Richard is averaging 5.7 points per game off 13.7 minutes per night. He's also averaging 1.3 steals per game. Seemingly every night, Richard is doing something that is impressing Warriors fans, and if he can continue to progress, he might go down as one of the great 2nd draft steals in recent memory.