Gators in NBA: Rookie Will Richard Drops 30 in First Start
Will Richard made a stunning debut start for the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. The former Florida Gator scored 30 points on 10-of-15 shooting, hitting five of eight from beyond the arc, along with seven rebounds and three assists in 35 minutes during the team’s 121-116 loss to the Sacramento Kings.
Before this breakout, Richard sat out the Warriors’ last two games, which the team split 1-1. With several key players sidelined — Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green — coach Steve Kerr gave Richard the opportunity to step into the lineup, and he exceeded expectations.
“He’s shown he’s an NBA player,” Kerr said. “The experience, the poise – he doesn’t turn it over, he makes the right play. This guy’s a hell of a player.”
When asked about his performance postgame, Richard downplayed the 30-point effort, focusing instead on team improvement and consistency.
Sacramento’s victory was fueled by veteran guard Russell Westbrook, who achieved his 204th career triple-double — the most in NBA history — finishing with 23 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists.
With the loss, the Warriors moved to a 5-4 record and now prepare to face the Denver Nuggets in their next matchup.
Categories
- Former Gators
- Gators Men's Basketball
- NBA
Author’s summary: Will Richard impressed in his first NBA start for Golden State, scoring 30 points while demonstrating skill and composure despite the Warriors’ narrow defeat.