Former Gator Will Richard Scores 30 in First NBA Start
The Golden State Warriors played without their superstar Stephen Curry, but rookie guard Will Richard delivered a standout performance in his first NBA start, despite a narrow 121–116 defeat to the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center in downtown Sacramento on Wednesday night.
Starting for the first time in his professional career, Richard scored 30 points on 10-of-15 shooting (66.7%) and went 5-of-8 from three-point range (62.5%). He also added seven rebounds and three assists during his 35 minutes on the court.
"Will was amazing," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. "From the beginning of camp, he’s shown he’s an NBA player — he has the experience and poise. He doesn’t turn the ball over, can handle pressure, and is a hell of a player."
Golden State acquired Richard by trading up with the Memphis Grizzlies to secure his draft rights in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft. The Warriors sent Memphis the 59th pick along with a conditional future second-round pick. Before joining the NBA, Richard spent three seasons playing for the Florida Gators, where he became the first transfer commitment under head coach Todd Golden after transferring from Belmont University.
Author’s Summary
In his debut as a starter, Will Richard scored 30 points for the Warriors, proving his NBA readiness and earning high praise from coach Steve Kerr.