SACRAMENTO (WCJB) – The Golden State Warriors were without superstar Stephen Curry, but rookie Will Richard stepped up in a close 121-116 loss to the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center in downtown Sacramento Wednesday night.
Richard got the start for the Warriors —the first of his career — and did not disappoint.
He scored 30 points on 10 for 15 shooting (66.7%), 5 for 8 from three (62.5%), with seven rebounds, three assists and one assist in 35 minutes on the floor.
“Will was amazing,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said of Richard. ” From the beginning of camp, he’s shown he’s an NBA player and the experience, the poise. He doesn’t turn it (the ball) over. He makes the right play. He can handle the ball under pressure. He makes the right pass. This guy’s a hell of a player.”
The Warriors traded up with the Memphis Grizzlies to gain the draft rights of Richard in the second round of the 2025 NBA draft, sending the Grizzlies its 59th pick and a conditional future second-round draft pick.
Richard spent three years with the Gators, the first commit to Todd Golden and staff at UF as a transfer from Belmont.
The 22-year-old Fairburn, Georgia native started and played in all 40 games for Florida last season as a key piece to its National Championship.
Just before the season, Golden State signed Richard to a four-year contract extension, with two years fully guaranteed and a team option for the final two years. Around the same time, the Warriors signed another National Championship-winning Gator, Al Horford.
Richard and the Warriors are back in action as they travel to face the Denver Nuggets.
Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
Copyright 2025 WCJB. All rights reserved.