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Will Richard returning to Florida Gators for senior season

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•05/24/24•

ZachAbolverdi

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida starting guard Will Richard has decided to withdraw from the 2024 NBA Draft and return for his senior season, Gators Online has confirmed.

The news was first reported Friday night by Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68. Richard declared for the draft on April 17 and worked out with multiple NBA teams.

Richard averaged 11.4 points during his junior season with the Gators and scored 20-plus points in six games. He also eclipsed 1,000 career points in February.

Richard is up to 1,143 points in college (11.3 ppg). In his two years at UF, he has 744 points, 287 rebounds and 121 3-pointers made in 68 appearances with 65 starts.

In addition to Richard, UF junior guard Walter Clayton Jr. also declared for the NBA Draft. Clayton has a decision to make after playing well at the G League Elite Camp.

The NCAA early entry withdrawal date is May 29.

Will Richard career stats

2023-24, Junior Season

  • Averaged 11.4 points and 3.9 rebounds, hitting a career-high 70 3-pointers (.345) while appearing in all 36 games with 35 starts.
  • Had 20 double-figure scoring performances, including six 20-point games.
  • Matched his season-high with 23 points on 8-for-12 shooting to lead the team in scoring in the win vs. No. 16 Alabama.
  • Knocked down 4 of 7 3-pointers and led the Gators with 23 points in the win against Mississippi State, following it up with an 18-point outing vs. UGA.
  • Hit five 3-pointers in back-to-back games vs. Grambling State and Quinnipiac, the first Gator to do so since Noah Locke in Feb. 2020.
  • Posted 15 of his 17 points after halftime in the double overtime win vs. Michigan, shooting 5-for-7 from the field over the final 30 minutes.
  • Earned Orange Bowl Classic MVP honors after scoring 19 of his 21 points in the second half, including a barrage of three 3-pointers in 90 seconds to go on a solo 9-0 run.

2022-23, Sophomore Season

  • Started 30 of his 32 appearances and averaged 10.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, second-highest on the team in both categories.
  • Was the Gators’ top 3-point shooter in volume and percentage at .398 on 51-for-128.
  • Earned 2023 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll honors for his performance in the classroom.
  • Had 18 double-figure scoring games, including a career-high 24 points in the win at Georgia on 8-for-11 shooting, 5-for-8 from 3-point range.
  • Had a huge +26 plus-minus in the win vs. #2 Tennessee with nine points and a 2-for-3 night from 3-point range.
  • Posted 18 points vs. Xavier, including a 4-for-8 night from 3-point range
  • Scored 15 points with just five field goal attempts in his Florida debut after earning a starting role. Richard scored double figures in six straight games to open his Florida career, averaging 14.5 points over his first half-dozen games at UF.

2021-22, Freshman Season (Belmont)

  • Averaged 12.1 points and 6.0 rebounds with 30 starts in 33 appearances, posting a .468 field goal percentage and .804 free throw percentage.
  • Scored in double figures in 23 of 33 games, including 12 games with 15+ points.
  • Posted a personal-best 23 points at Samford and had 22 at Vanderbilt in the NIT.
  • Had two double-doubles, posting 11 points and 14 rebounds vs. Drake and 14 points and 10 rebounds at Tennessee Tech.
  • Added 41 steals and 27 blocked shots.

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