With the 56th overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, the Golden State Warriors selected Florida Gators guard Will Richard.
While Richard was expected to be drafted into the NBA through the draft process, many thought it would be either much later in the draft process or as an undrafted free agent. However, the Golden State Warriors liked what they saw in Richards and made a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies. They sent Justinian Jessup (drafted at No. 51 in 2020) to Memphis to trade up from No. 59 to No. 56 to go get the Gator senior from Fairburn, Georgia, and make him a Warrior.
Will Richard drafted by the Golden State Warriors
Richard is known for being a “combo guard” and not necessarily specializing at point guard or shooting guard, but has an ability to play both. He is capable of being a great catch-and-shoot player. His shooting abilities are what NBA teams liked about him and what helped him lead Florida to the 2025 National Championship, in which he was a key component.
Richard had 18 points, eight rebounds, and made four three-point shots in their 65-63 win over Houston and made the winning steal with 26 seconds left in the game to secure the win for the Gators.
In total for the 2024-25 season, Richard scored 546 points on 189 field goals made, 82 three-pointers, and 86 free throws. Richard, 6’4”, 206lbs, had 45 offensive rebounds and 144 defensive rebounds last season. He’s a player who can play both sides of the ball, both offense and defense.
Along with his 144 defensive rebounds in 2024-25, he averaged 1.7 steals per game. His 6’10” wingspan allows him to be strong at rebounding and getting his hands on the ball on defense with the steals.
Florida head coach Todd Golden described Richard as “an incredible light bulb, an incredible human being.” That’s exactly what Golden State will get: a great two-way player on the court, and an incredible teammate and representation of the team off the court as well.