Will Richard selected No. 56 overall in 2025 NBA Draft: Florida Gators star joins Golden State Warriors

Basketball

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Image Credit: UAA

The stalwart of the Florida Gators’ backcourt on their way to a first national championship in 18 years, guard Will Richard on Thursday night was selected No. 56 overall by the Golden State Warriors in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft. Richard’s selection marked the first time that Florida had three or more players chosen in the same draft in program history, the since five Gators were selected in 2007 coming off back to back national titles.

Point guard Walter Clayton Jr., the Most Outstanding Player of the 2025 NCAA Tournament who set scoring records and made all kinds of history for the Gators, was picked No. 18 overall by the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night after a trade with the Washington Wizards. Guard Alijah Martin was chosen earlier Thursday at No. 39 overall by the Toronto Raptors as the second round unfolded at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Despite his success on the court at Florida, it was hardly a lock that Richard, the first transfer to commit to head coach Todd Golden, would be drafted. He was neither invited to the NBA Combine nor the greenroom at the NBA Draft. Richard was drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies, which traded his rights to the Warriors before the pick was made.

Shooting 36% from 3-point land across his career, Richard averaged highs of 13.3 points and 1.9 assists for the Gators last season. He and Martin regularly rotated as the second-leading scorer behind Clayton, but whereas Martin had more ability to attack the hoop, Richard preferred to get his work done beyond the arc.

NBA evaluators see Richard as a “3-and-D” prospect, a catch-and-shoot option off the bench should he ultimately make a team at the top level. Richard was ranked outside the top 20 shooting guards, and the way teams generally select players in the second round, it was expected that he would be a priority free agent signing.

Clayton, Martin and Richard are only the second set of three or more Florida players to be selected in the same draft. Al Horford (No. 3 overall, Atlanta Hawks), Corey Brewer (No. 7, Minnesota Timberwolves), Joakim Noah (No. 9, Chicago Bulls), Chris Richard (No. 41, Timberwolves) and Taurean Green (No. 52, Portland Trail Blazers) were all chosen in the 2007 NBA Draft coming off consecutive national titles concluding the 2006 and 2007 seasons.