Richard’s Scorching Week Puts Him In Florida History Book

The No. 3 Florida Gators keep making statements, and on Saturday night, Will Richard delivered one of his own. With a 25-point explosion against No. 12 Texas A&M, the 6-foot-4 guard from Fairburn, Ga., played a key role in Florida’s 89-70 win that secured the team’s third win against a top-12 opponent this season.

He shot 9-of-13 from the field, including 6-of-9 from beyond the arc, while grabbing six rebounds in just 31 minutes at the O’Connell Center. But his performance wasn’t just about one night — it capped a scorching week in which he put up 55 points on a hyper-efficient 67% shooting (20-of-30), including 55% from deep (11-of-20), along with eight rebounds in two games.

not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, BUT FIVE TRIPLES FOR @willrxch

Gators 68 | Aggies 59 pic.twitter.com/Xe3JroROJn

— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) March 2, 2025

Richard Joins Gators Royalty

If Richard’s dominance wasn’t impressive enough, he etched his name in Florida Gators history, surpassing program legends Al Horford and Joakim Noah on the school’s all-time scoring list. That achievement alone speaks volumes, considering Horford and Noah were instrumental in leading Florida to back-to-back national titles in 2006 and 2007.

Saturday’s outburst came just days after a 30-point performance in a tough loss at Georgia, showcasing his ability to bounce back in a big way. His recent surge signals that he could be the X-factor Florida needs as the SEC tournament and March Madness loom.

Rollercoaster Season

Richard has had an up-and-down season. His overall numbers remain strong — averaging 13.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and shooting 50.9% from the field, 37.7% from deep and 79.6% from the free-throw line. However, inconsistency has been a theme, as highlighted by a game against LSU (79-65 win) where he played 27 minutes, but finished scoreless after going 0-for-3 from the field.

Still, Richard insists the scoreless outing didn’t shake him. He prioritizes winning over personal stats, emphasizing that he’d rather contribute to a victory than light up the scoreboard in a loss.

“At Georgia, that 30 don’t mean nothing — we lost,” Richard said. “So I’d rather have zero and win than 30 and lose. I’m just trying to win. My team’s doing a good job of finding me, so I’m just taking advantage of that.”

On the other hand, Richard has delivered in strong matchups. He posted 12 points and five rebounds in a 90-81 upset against then-No. 1 Auburn, had 21 points and seven rebounds against Vanderbilt and stepped up with 14 points and eight rebounds against Oklahoma. He’s shown he can be Florida’s go-to guy, but maintaining that level consistently will be key to the Gators’ postseason aspirations.

Decision That Paid Off

Richard’s presence this season almost didn’t happen. After declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft in April while maintaining his college eligibility, he ultimately decided to return to Florida. He had workouts with the Detroit Pistons and Portland Trail Blazers, but wasn’t listed among the top-100 prospects by draft analysts.

Instead of taking his chances in the pros, Richard made it clear — if he stayed in college, it would only be with the Gators. His return has been a crucial boost for coach Todd Golden’s squad, particularly with fellow senior Walter Clayton Jr., who is also aiming to make his leap into the league after this season.

Last season, Richard averaged 11.4 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 41.1% from the field. He had six 20-point games, including a standout 23-point, nine-rebound effort against Mississippi State and a strong showing in Florida’s NCAA Tournament loss against Colorado. But down the stretch, he struggled with single-digit scoring outputs in six of his final 14 games. This year, he’s proving he can be a reliable offensive force when the lights shine brightest.

Up Next

The Gators (25-4, 12-4 SEC) will now face another test Wednesday, hitting the road for a top-10 clash against No. 6 Alabama (23-6, 12-4). Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2, 98.1-FM/850-AM WRUF) and eyes will be on Richard to see if he can keep his hot streak going.

With the SEC Tournament and March Madness around the corner, Richard’s stock is rising at the right time. Where he lands in the NBA Draft is uncertain, but one thing is clear — he’s leaving his mark on Florida basketball history. If he continues this level of play, the Gators have a legitimate shot at making a deep run in March.