Florida Gators standout guard Will Richard might be a national champion now, but is he related to Gators legend Chris Richard?
Chris, who played for Florida almost two decades ago, was a part of the program’s back-to-back national titles in 2006 and 2007. But are the two related? Let’s take a deeper look.
Is Florida G Will Richard related to Gators Legend Chris Richard?
Florida’s star shooting guard, Will Richard, joined Florida from Belmont in 2022 and became the X factor on the Gators’ offense. In his first season as a Gator, he averaged 10.4 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 39.8 percent from behind the arc.
In fact, Richard was head coach Todd Golden’s first commit when he was appointed. Three years later, Richard led the way in Florida’s National Championship win over Houston, scoring a team-high 18 points while adding eight rebounds.
As noted, though, Will isn’t the first Richard to don the blue and orange in Gainesville.
Chris Richard is a former professional basketball player who played for Florida as a power forward. He was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves as the 41st overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. He played in the NBA for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls.
He helped Florida win two national championships (2006 and 2007) and three straight SEC Tournament titles (2005-2007). He was named SEC Sixth Man of the Year in 2007 and is now an SEC Men’s Basketball Legend. He is also a member of the 2020 SEC Legends Class.
He played 141 games for the Gators, ranking among Florida’s top 10 in all-time games played.
But to answer the burning question: No, Chris Richard and Will Richard are not related in any way. They just happen to share the same name. Chris Richard is a Florida native, while Will grew up in Georgia.
What’s Next for Will Richard?
After last season, Will Richard declared for the NBA Draft but then withdrew to return for his senior season with Florida, a decision that ultimately paid off as he won the national championship.
He was projected to be a second-round pick in 2024, but after the year he’s just had, he could be a first-round pick this year.
RELATED: Who Are Will Richard’s Parents? Meet Helen and Al Richard
“I’m celebrating this for the next few days, and then I’ll get back to work, getting ready for predraft and trying to take that next step in my career,” Richard said after winning the championship.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
