Florida Favorite Will Richard Unveils His New Nickname with Golden State
Since leaving Florida, Will Richard has established himself in the NBA with the Golden State Warriors. Despite being a second-round draft pick, he quickly earned consistent playing time under coach Steve Kerr, becoming one of the early steals of the 2025 NBA Draft.
A Fitting Nickname from Teammates
Richard recently shared with San Francisco's 95.7 The Game how he is settling in with the team and revealed the nickname given to him by his new teammates:
"They call Al [Horford] 'Big Gator,' so I'm 'Baby Gator' right now. It's either 'Rook' or 'Baby Gator.'"
This nickname reflects a connection to former Florida great Al Horford, who joined Golden State this offseason after playing with Boston. It symbolizes a "circle of life" moment, with Horford in his 19th NBA season and Richard in his first.
Learning from Veterans
Richard reflected on playing alongside experienced stars like Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler:
"I grew up watching these guys. To be able to witness their greatness every game, every practice, it's a blessing to be a part of. I take a step back every day and realize how thankful I am to be in this situation."
At just six games into his NBA career, Richard is averaging 5.7 points per game in about 13 minutes.
Career and Legacy
- Richard is a former Florida Gator now thriving with the Warriors.
- Horford and the Gators won their first national title in 2006, when Richard was 3 years old.
This mentorship and connection highlight Richard's early career growth and his place within a storied basketball legacy.
Author's summary: Will Richard, the Golden State Warriors’ promising rookie, embraces his "Baby Gator" nickname while growing under veteran mentorship and carving out his NBA identity.