Memphis Grizzlies select Will Richard in 2025 NBA Draft, trade to Warriors

Former Florida star Will Richard was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2025 NBA Draft. He was taken in the second round with the No. 56 overall pick. However, the Golden State Warriors traded up to draft the former Gators star.

Richard is coming off a national championship with Florida, one in which he was an integral part. He often provided the spark the team needed to break out of miniature slumps, either with his shooting or with his defense.

In his final season with the Gators, Richard averaged 13.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. He could really fill up the stat sheet.

His size at 6 foot 5 is also decent for the NBA level, especially given his penchant for playing solid defense. He’ll have to hang his hat on his all-around game if he hopes to remain at the NBA level.

Will Richard, though, is a quality shooter. He finished his senior season shooting 35.9% from 3-point range and 84.4% from the charity stripe. Both of those figures are quite competitive.

Richard came to Florida prior to the 2022-23 season, spending three seasons with the Gators as a full-time starter. He initially began his career at Belmont, where he started 30 games and averaged 12.1 points and 6.0 rebounds as a freshman.

Will Richard did not have a ranking in the On3 Industry Rankings coming out of high school, rated by only one of the major services. He was ranked as a three-star prospect with an 84 grade by 247Sports.

What NBA Draft experts are saying about Will Richard

On3’s James Fletcher provided a lengthy pre-draft analysis on Richard. He wrote:

“Given his ability to space the floor when playing with multiple guards, or shift up the lineup when filling in beside multiple big men, there is great versatility in Richard’s game. The 6-foot-5 wing can play in a number of ways and competes on both ends which is necessary for players of his mold looking to outperform professional projections.

“On offense, Richard averaged 13.3 points on 48.7, 35.9, 84.4 shooting splits. That was up from 10.4 when he first made the jump to SEC competition at Florida and 11.4 last season.

“There is plenty to like on defense too, where he averaged 4.6 rebounds and 2.0 stocks, putting up a 100.3 defensive rating with 2.4 defensive win shares. The tape also tells the tail of a versatile player willing to take whatever perimeter assignment he is tasked with throughout the game.”