Golden State Warriors rookie shooting guard Will Richard made his NBA Summer League debut Sunday, scoring 16 points in a 90-88 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. The 2025 second-round draft pick also shared his excitement about meeting Stephen Curry for the first time, calling it a “top-three moment” of his life.
Richard was selected 56th overall after Golden State traded up from pick No. 59. The Florida product had to wait an extra day to make his debut while the draft-day trade was finalized, missing Saturday’s opener against the Los Angeles Lakers.
How Did Will Richard Perform in His Warriors Debut?
Richard finished his first California Classic Summer League game with 16 points, four rebounds, one assist, two steals and two 3-pointers. He shot 3-for-10 from the field (30.0%) but went a perfect 8-for-8 at the free-throw line. His plus-13 rating stood out in the two-point loss.
WILL RICHARD STEAL 👀
WILL RICHARD LAYUP 😤The Warriors rookie gets his first bucket in his #NBASummer debut on NBA TV! pic.twitter.com/pu2YXEjOXY
— NBA (@NBA) July 6, 2025
The performance marked Richard’s first 5-on-5 action since Florida’s national championship run. He showed the defensive aggression that made him attractive to Golden State scouts, recording two steals while pressuring ball handlers throughout the game.
“It’s been a little frustrating, I mean, definitely wanna be out there with the guys practicing and stuff like that, but I’ve been making the most of it, making sure I’m locked in to what they’re doing on the court and still getting my shots and stuff,” Richard said. “So, just making sure I’m staying ready.”
Tonight was Will Richard’s first time playing 5-on-5 since the national championship. 16 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals in his Summer League debut. Very aggressive defensively. Also called meeting Steph Curry yesterday a top-3 moment of his life.
Some sound after his debut: pic.twitter.com/WqKFZ7F1fy
— Danny Emerman (@DannyEmerman) July 7, 2025
What Did Will Richard Say About Meeting Stephen Curry?
Richard told reporters that meeting Curry for the first time on Saturday ranked as a “top-three moment” of his life. The four-time NBA champion and Bay Area icon made quite an impression on the rookie guard.
Warriors rookie Will Richard says meeting Steph Curry yesterday was a “Top 3 moment” of his life. Richard scored 16 in his summer league debut. pic.twitter.com/Jz9rKZrson
— Joseph Dycus (@joseph_dycus) July 7, 2025
The 22-year-old’s reaction highlights the magnitude of joining an organization led by one of basketball’s greatest shooters. Curry has won four NBA championships with Golden State and revolutionized the game with his 3-point shooting.
Richard’s skill set aligns well with the Warriors’ system. He’s known for his catch-and-shoot ability, basketball IQ and defensive versatility rather than elite shot creation. These qualities helped him succeed at Florida, where he was a key contributor to the Gators’ championship team.
During his senior season at Florida, Richard averaged 13.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.7 steals and 2.0 3-pointers per game across 40 games. He shot 48.7% from the field, including 35.9% from 3-point range.
Richard could follow a similar path to Quinten Post, Golden State’s No. 52 pick from the 2024 draft,stephen who carved out a rotation spot. The Warriors have shown they’re willing to develop late-round picks who fit their system and culture.
Richard and the Warriors wrap up their California Classic schedule Tuesday against the Miami Heat before starting their Las Vegas Summer League slate Friday. The extended summer league run gives Richard more opportunities to showcase his skills and build chemistry with his new teammates.
