Former Gator Will Richard Scores 30 in First NBA Start
The Golden State Warriors, missing star guard Stephen Curry, fell 121–116 to the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center in downtown Sacramento on Wednesday night. Despite the loss, rookie Will Richard delivered a breakout performance in his first NBA start.
Game Performance
Starting for the first time in his professional career, Richard impressed by scoring 30 points. He shot 10-for-15 from the field (66.7%) and 5-for-8 from three-point range (62.5%), while also adding seven rebounds and three assists in 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 with experience and poise. He doesn’t turn the ball over and can handle pressure. This guy’s a terrific player.”
Background
The Warriors traded up with the Memphis Grizzlies to acquire the draft rights to Richard in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft. Golden State sent Memphis its 59th pick along with a conditional future second-round selection. Before entering the NBA, Richard played three seasons with the Florida Gators and was the first player to commit to coach Todd Golden’s staff as a transfer from Belmont University.
Author’s Summary
Will Richard delivered a standout 30-point debut start for the Warriors, confirming his NBA readiness and validating Golden State’s decision to trade up for him in the 2025 draft.