Transcripts: Will Richard meeting Steph "was a Top 3" moment, up with winning NCAA and being born

grew up a big Warriors / Steph / Klay fan, really wanted to come to GSW

Two press conferences with the sparkling Will Richard!

2025-06-30 Introductory Press Conference

Q

Hey. Hey, well, what's just the last few days been like for you, just coming in here and what has that been like?

Will Richard

It's been a surreal feeling. I mean, it's a blessing to be able to join this organization and be a part of it. So just spending time with the family, celebrating and just getting ready for this next step.

Q

And what's your first impression of the Warriors been, just as an organization?

Will Richard

It's been great. I mean, I've been watching them since I was a little kid. So it's definitely a blessing to be able to join them and be on the team. So just happy to be here.

Q

Did you have a favorite player as a kid?

Will Richard

I did, Steph Curry. I did.

Q

How surreal is it to know that you're going be on the same team as him?

Will Richard

Yeah, it's so crazy. I'm definitely going to be watching him a lot, asking him a lot of questions. Try to learn as much as possible.

Q

You came in for a workout, correct? What was that process like getting to meet folks around here? And what was draft day like for you? Where did you watch the draft? Did you expect to get drafted? How did that all come together?

Will Richard

Yeah, yeah, the pre-draft workout was great. I mean, everybody in the organization was very welcome, and it was fun. I mean, being able to come out here and work out for the team. So it was fun. And then draft day, I went back home to Atlanta. kept it tight, had just immediate family, some friends over. We were watching at the house and we kind of knew the second round was where I was where my night was going to start. So definitely just watching. When we heard that Golden State was the team, I was very excited and was ready to get down here.

Q

How do you feel like your game fits knowing the way the Warriors play, knowing the skills that you bring to the table?

Will Richard

Yeah, I think it fits perfectly. I mean, I'm a guy that can do a little bit everything to help the team win. So whether that's spacing the floor, just guarding at a high level, rebounding, I willing to do whatever it takes to help us win.

Q

Any trash talk with LJ [Cryer] from the national championship game?

Will Richard

No, I kept it cool. I mean, he's a great player. I respect his game, so it's good to be on the same team with him.

Q

Just what you looking forward to the most with Summer League and just kind of seeing your game continue to grow?

Will Richard

Yeah, just going out there, enjoying the game, having fun with it and just improving, showing that I've improved my shot, improved my game. as a complete player. So just going out there and competing at a high level and trying to win.

Q

Well, what part of your game do you think maybe needs the most growth? And what do you think can be your foundation from day one, maybe?

Will Richard

Yeah, I think coming into the league, I'll say just stretching the floor, knocking down, catching shoot threes, spacing the floor, finishing at a high level, and just guarding. But I'll say what probably needs to improve is definitely playmaking. But I think that'll come as long as I keep growing and just with experience.

Q

The national championship game, … in that game, obviously, you had a great game, eighteen points, the eight rebounds, four threes. What do you think that those big time games that you were involved with at Florida, how did that prepare you for the next level for a franchise like the Warriors?

Will Richard

Yeah, I feel like it just shows that I'm ready to play at the highest stage. And playing in a game like that and just coming out and competing at a high level and helping my team win, I feel like that shows who I am as a player, and I feel like I'm ready to do that at the next level as well.

Q

Now that you've made the NBA, when did you know that it was more than a dream? When did you know that it was an achievable goal?

Will Richard

I'll probably say I started really noticing probably like my freshman year of college, like it was right there. I had a chance. So but just knowing that I had a lot more work to do and I still have that same mindset. It's still a lot more work to do. So just staying Staying humble, not getting complacent, and just putting in the work to get to where I want to be.

Q

What are your fine memories of that weekend here at Chase in March Madness?

Will Richard

Yeah, it's definitely great to be back. I mean, I was 2 - 0 when I came here, so definitely got a got a history of winning. So I'm excited to be back.

Q

A couple of fun ones for you. If you weren’t a basketball player, you'd be doing what?

Will Richard

I feel like I'd be in NBA front office somewhere or Hibachi chef. … I've always been, like, intrigued with like the little tricks and the fire and stuff. Like, that 's always caught my attention, so I'll say

Q

What was your best summer vacation as a kid?

Will Richard

Um me and my family used to go to Myrtle Beach a lot. That was like something we did every year, so I would say that.

Q

Just interested to know being if you've kind of kept up with the Warriors and how they use their draft picks. A lot of them get some valuable minutes even in play games. Have you looked at that? And when you see that, do you think about that could be me this coming season?

Will Richard

For sure. Yeah, I 've definitely looked at that. And it's definitely blessing to be a part of an organization that does use their draft picks in that way. So I'm excited, but I know I just got to put in the work and when the opportunity presents itself, I'll be ready.

Q

The Warriors run a pretty distinct offensive system. How do you see yourself fitting in that once you know your numbers cold?

Will Richard

Yeah, I see myself fitting in perfectly. They run a great system. A lot of movement, a lot of threes, good cuts and stuff like that. And I feel like it definitely helps that I came from a system that ran something similar to that. We're always moving. Definitely using IQ and stuff to get the best shot available. So I feel like I'll fit in, fit in very well.

2025-07-14 Will Richard, Willard & Dibs 95.7 THE GAME

Q

What was that like in terms of the [NCAA] run you guys went on and how that is going to prepare you for the NBA life? Because that was like an NBA team you had.

Will Richard

Yeah, it definitely was. I mean we had a very talented team. I'll just say the run itself, I mean playing four games, just playing those games at high stakes in a tournament, it definitely prepared me for that next level. So I was excited to be able to go out there and win a national championship with them.

Q

…You were technically drafted by the Grizzlies. Somehow, a trade brings you here. Can you take us through what you were learning in real time and what the experience was like?

Will Richard

Yeah, I mean, draft night was very stressful for me, to be honest. Me and my agent, we had Golden State marked off from the beginning. We loved the opportunity. We loved the team. And then draft night came around. It was Memphis' pick. They said that they were going to take me, and we were like, ah, like, I mean, Golden State is right around the corner. We love Golden State, that's where we want to be. So it was a blessing that Golden State was able to trade up and give me. It was definitely a little stressful, I would say.

Q

What is it about the Warriors that made you so enamored with wanting to be a part of it?

Will Richard

Yeah, for me, I mean, it's a team that I watched since I was a kid. I've always grew up a Warriors fan, and just the way they run things, their system, they went at a high level. Love when just how they develop players. I feel like that's an organization that you would love to be a part of.

Q

…What is it you feel is the correct fit?

Will Richard

Yes, for me, I feel like I can come in and do little things that impact winning. I feel like I can come in and guard at a high level, make the right plays, move without the ball. Cut at the right time, or just do little things that help impact winning without having to put up a lot of points.

Q

And that's kind of what you did in Florida. I mean, the way you guys all fit together, so many different players playing their role. When you look at the NBA, and you've obviously watched it closely for your whole life, is there a player that you see in the association who you're trying to model yourself after?

Will Richard

Yeah, I watch a lot of guys like Aaron Nesmith, Aaron Wiggins with the Thunder, guys that can guard at a high level and then can space the floor, cut, make the right reads, and just play the right way to help their team win.

Q

I'd like to hear more about that. Like, you just brought up guys who are not stars.

Will Richard

For sure. I mean, I've always feel like starring in your role is definitely important. And I did that at Florida for four years, so I know what it means to star in your role and do whatever it takes to help the team win. I feel like those are guys that. Helped model that perfectly, so I definitely model my game after them

Q

Did you have any sort of like pre-draft conversations with the Warriors?

Will Richard

I just had the pre-draft workout with them, and it went great. I mean, we watched the whole first half of the national championship and definitely had great talks in that meeting.

Q

The reason I ask is I can already tell that your answers are like literally exactly what they want to hear. Like you, you, I can tell by listening to this that your mindset. is to come in and do like all of the dirty work and the little things that contribute to winning.

Will Richard

Oh, for sure. And I feel like that's who I am as a player. I feel like I've been doing it my whole career. And I've been blessed to have coaches that know that and value that that's important and know that. Doing that can help a lot for your team. So it's definitely been a part of who I am as a person.

Q

Have you had a chance to meet Brandin Podziemski? Have you watched his game and seen how he tries to star in his role with the team.

Will Richard

Yeah, for sure. I've definitely watched him. I got to have some conversations with him. So just seeing how he makes his shots when they're open and just does whatever the team needs to help win.

Q

…You said that meeting Steph Curry was a top three moment in your life.

Will Richard

For sure.

Q

Okay, why? And take us through the meeting.

Will Richard

For me, I mean, that was my favorite player growing up, him and Klay. So that was definitely a top-three moment in my life, and just how it happened. I mean, we were at the first Cali Classic game. I wasn't able to play because the trade hadn't gone through yet. And fans, they were calling me to go sign autographs, so I had to walk past him. And, you know, he's Stephen Curry, you don't want to go up and intrude on what he's doing. So, I went up past him by the fans and saw some autographs. When I was coming down the steps, he came up to me, shook my hand, and was like, Welcome to the bay. We're happy to have you here, and I'm excited to work with you. So, for me, that meant a lot. It was definitely some motivation because you're hearing that from a guy that you grew up watching, grew up loving, grew up wanting to be like. So it was definitely some motivation.

Q

Okay, so hold on, Dib, because if that's a top three moment, we'd be crazy not to find out what the other two are.

Will Richard

That's true. For sure. I'll probably say winning a Natty. And let's go with being born. 

Q

That's fantastic. And I just was curious how you became a Warrior fan growing up in Georgia. Atlanta, the Hawks are right there. Is it just because they were good? Or is it just because the Steph and Klay played?

Will Richard

Um, for me, it was the way Steph and Klay played. I mean, I always grew up liking guys that could shoot and just seeing how they played. They played the right way and they had fun doing it. They played together. I feel like that was fun to watch for me, and I grew up, and that's what helped me love the game so much.

Q

So, take us through your three-point shot, Will, and how you look to adjust to the three-point line being further out.

Will Richard

Yeah, for sure. I mean, for me, I feel like the thing I can work on is my balance. I feel like a lot of times in my shots, I can either be falling out of it too quick or leaning from side to side. So, for me, once I get some time off to really work on it, just working on balance, going straight up and straight down on every shot, and just making sure I'm sticking my follow-through.

…

I think I'm a very versatile defender. I feel I can do a little bit of on and off ball. I feel like I'm a little better off-ball for sure, but I think I can pride myself in being an on-ball defender, getting into guys' space, being physical. And I feel like those are some things that I can definitely improve on, but those are things I pride myself on as well.

Q

Who are you when you're not playing hoops?

Will Richard

When I'm not playing hoops, I mean I am a homebody. I love being around family and friends. I don't really do much. I'm either on the game, watching shows, or I get into yoga a little bit too, but I'm trying to expand. I'm trying to get into golf. I been watching a little bit.

Q

Have you met any of the other Warriors?

Will Richard

I have. I met Buddy. I met Draymond yesterday, Quinten Post. I've been around Trayce Jackson-Davis, Gui Santos. So I've been around, I've run around a few of the young guys, but that's about it.

Q

Okay, let's focus in on Buddy Hield and Draymond Green for a second. Your first impressions of both of those people?

Will Richard

Oh, yeah, both real, real cool people. Real cool. You can tell they’re about the right things, and just very, very welcoming. I feel like everybody. From the Warriors from the top to bottom. They've all been welcoming. So it's been cool to be able to meet everybody.

Q

And still, Jimmy Butler, you got out there for you to meet. Is there anyone in the association, currently, who you're looking forward to going against?

Will Richard

Yeah, I mean, I'll probably say, like, seeing LeBron or something, like, I mean, those are guys you grew up watching, but for me, probably going against my teammates of Florida. I mean, we're all seeing our dreams come true, so just going against them, that'll be fun.