The Will Richard Interview: Florida Gators - March Madness Series | Ep. 7

Welcome to another episode of the Walk Foundation's March Madness podcast series. Today I'm pleased to be joined by Will Richard of the Florida Gators. Welcome to the podcast, Will.

Appreciate you for having me.

So Will, where did you grow up and what was life like growing up?

Well, I was born in Washington, moved to South Carolina, then to Tennessee, then to Georgia. But life was, it was good growing up. I mean, very family oriented. Grew up in the church. Sports were a big part of my family as well. So I definitely say it was a good time growing up.

And with all the bouncing around, was that tough to have all those transitions?

For me, I was young, so it didn't really affect me as much because I was so younger. So I didn't say it affected me in a bad way. I felt like I was pretty good growing up and it helped me for later on in life, just being able to, adapt to different situations.

You mentioned that church was a big priority for your family. When was it that you met the Lord?

So yeah, Dad is an ordained minister. We were in church every Sunday. So I would say I probably gave my life to Christ, and it was in 3rd grade. I remember just being in church, and I remember what the pastor was talking about, but I just felt tears in my eyes. And at the end, they asked if anybody wanted to give their life to Christ, and I raised my hand. So Ended up getting baptized probably a week or two after that. And since then, God has been a huge part of my life. Mm-hmm.

And I know you were just in third grade, so you're very young, but what was it that attracted you to Jesus?

For me, it was just seeing how much it affected my family. It was seeing how my mom and dad carried themselves, how my brother and sister carried themselves. You could just tell that God was in them and it definitely showed in their character and how they treated other people and just, how they walked around daily.

Mm-hmm. And then how would you describe your faith journey? Like, do you feel like it's been pretty steady and gradual, or have there been kind of peaks and valleys there?

There's definitely been peaks and valleys. I feel like that's normal for everyone, but I feel like this past year and last year has definitely brought me a lot closer to God and just in my journey with him.

Mm-hmm. Was there like a moment that this past year that led you to that?

Yeah, so last summer lost my mom, lost both of her parents. That was very tough just because we grew up around family a lot and just being around them. So it was tough losing two cornerstones of the family like that. And then this past summer, Dad lost his father. So I lost my granddad. So that's three grandparents in the span of a year. So it definitely, definitely hit hard. But in times like that, we learned to lean on God and that, That's what kept the family strong, kept us happy knowing that they were in a better place even through that time.

Sorry to hear about your grandparents. And I can relate to the loss of grandparents, but for it to lose 3 in 1 year, that is a lot.

Yeah.

In that time of adversity, what did you do specifically to lean on the Lord?

Yeah, it started with my parents. I mean, the way they carried themselves during that time, they, you could tell they got their strength from the Lord. For me, just watching them and seeing that, I said, "If they're doing it, then I have to do the same." So for me, I just started praying more, just leaning on him, knowing that he was the only thing I needed in that moment and he was going to carry us through that tough time.

And so to rewind, going back to your story, so you went to Woodward Academy near Atlanta, Georgia. What was high school like for you?

Yeah, high school was good. It definitely prepared me for college and I would say life in general. I started off at Fayette County High School my freshman and sophomore year. It was a public school that went good and then transferred to Woodward Academy after my sophomore year. And that was a, it was night and day 'cause it was a private school. Definitely a lot more rigorous in terms of schoolwork and just the expectation of being a student athlete. So I'll definitely say it, it was good. It definitely prepared me for college.

And once you, you know, probably started to get recruited to play basketball in college. What schools were you looking at at first, and what led you to choose Belmont?

Yeah, so for me, I was— I used to get a lot, uh, very frustrated. Um, I felt like I was better than some of the guys in my class but wasn't getting as recruited. So for me, I've definitely learned a lot of patience. Uh, my junior year, I got my first offer from North Alabama. Um, junior and sophomore years— I mean, junior, senior year was a lot of like Major schools, Belmont, Loyola Chicago, Wofford, Furman, VCU, schools like that. So after my junior year, COVID hit. So I didn't really get that summer to really get my name more out there. So Belmont was like my best option at that time. And I was like, I went to the campus, I liked it. I was like, I'm gonna make the most of it. So decided to commit to Belmont.

Mm-hmm. So your senior year, Was there no basketball at all?

So there was basketball, but like we didn't have any fans at the games. Like everything was like livestreamed. AAU really wasn't a factor as much because you couldn't go any places, you couldn't go and visit. So it was definitely a lot different than what I was gonna expect for my senior year.

Mm-hmm. And COVID affected a lot of different people in different ways. But I think one thing that often gets overlooked is situations like yours where it's like your senior year of high school. And for most athletes that are looking to play at the next level, that senior year can be pivotal as far as, you know, opportunities that might come from it. So as you were in your senior year of high school and, you know, some of those opportunities weren't there as you thought they might be, was that challenging for you?

It was definitely challenging because I knew what I expected of myself and I knew what level I could play at. For me, it was about trusting God. I mean, my mom always tells me, "What God has for you, no man can take that." So you make the best of your opportunities and everything will fall in line.

Can you speak to your relationship with your parents and, you know, just the things that they've taught you and how that's impacted you?

Yeah, it's very strong. I feel like every day my mom's sending me a Bible verse, something encouraging me. My dad, he's always been there, always encouraged me and stuff like that. Relationship with parents has been great my whole life and it's definitely been a blessing to have parents like that that support you and encourage you no matter what.

Mm-hmm. So we'll jump ahead here. So you had a solid freshman season at Belmont. What led you to enter the transfer portal?

For me, I just wanted to play at a higher level. I wanted to get more developed for that next level. And then just a new fit. I just feel like I needed a new fit after my freshman year. So I decided to enter the portal after that. First year.

And what led to the decision to come here to Gainesville, Florida?

Yeah, so as soon as I entered the portal, I talked to Coach Golding probably every day that I was in the portal. And what stood out is how persistent he was. You could tell that there was a true need for me here. So I made it my decision to come here. It was my first visit. I came with my parents. I had a lot of schools reaching out, but once I came here, everything just felt like home. And my parents, they agreed with me and we were like, We just want to end it right now. So I committed on my visit and it's been history ever since. Mm-hmm.

And you've had a great 3 years here at Florida, having scored over 1,000 points so far and more to come. But what has it been like to balance, you know, playing at Belmont, which is still a great Division I opportunity, but now playing, you know, for one of the top 5 teams in the country?

Yes, it's been great. I mean, you always dream of playing for a school like Florida, playing high level. Basketball. But I don't take away anything from Belmont. I feel like they did a great job preparing me for to be able to take that next step and be able to perform at a school like Florida and, uh, put my name out there on a national stage.

Um, and so now here this year, um, the 2024-25 season, you guys are currently ranked number 3 in the country and have had an incredible season. Um, leading into the season, I think on, on a national level there might not have been high expectations for this team, but what was it like before the season for you guys? Like, did you have, you know, high goals, high expectations for yourselves?

For sure. I mean, before the season even started, we all wanted to come here and win at the highest level, and that's a national championship, national championship. So we've been having that on our minds since before the season even started, from the first week of summer workouts.

And what has been the highlight of the season for you so far?

For me, I would just say I don't really think there's been like a highlight. I feel like I've enjoyed every part of the season. The highs and the lows, it's definitely just brought us closer. But I would say probably just battling with the guys every night. I mean, you come close as a team when you fight through adversity and stuff like that. So I feel like just watching us gel together as the season going on. Has gone along has been really special.

Mm-hmm. This next question I'm gonna ask, more guided towards like athletes that experience these things and go through these struggles. And I think, you know, you could do a great job speaking to that. So last night, like individually, you had an incredible game, scored 30 points, but ended up, the team ended up losing the game. And so, With you guys, you know, being ranked number 3 in the country but losing a game that you probably didn't expect to lose.

Mm-hmm.

When you think of it from like speaking to a high schooler that might lose a big game and has to get back up, you know, right here before tournament time.

Yeah.

What would your advice be to that high school player that is experiencing a loss and is looking to bounce back?

Yeah, I would say just be an athlete in general. You have to have quick memory. You can't get too high, get too low. You're going to lose some games, but— The main thing is just learning from it, keying in on what you did wrong, what you can improve on, and use it as fuel for the next game. So it's going to happen, but you got to bounce back. That's part of being an athlete.

And with Coach Golden, you mentioned his persistency and the recruiting process. As a coach, what are two things that you've learned from him so far that really stand out to you?

For me, I would say just playing free and having fun with the game. I mean, He always reminds us that it goes by quick and being on a team like this, you won't probably ever experience it even at the next level. So you got to, you got to cherish it and enjoy it and make sure you make the most of every opportunity.

You wear number 5.

Mm-hmm.

Why did you choose to wear number 5?

5 in the Bible is talked about as having God's grace. So I wear it just knowing that God's grace is upon me. I used to wear it as a kid too. So it definitely brought me back to times when I played as a kid. And I feel like as a kid, that's when you enjoy your sport the most. You don't really think about all the pressure, anything. You're just playing the sport because you love it. So for me, it was just going back to that time.

Mm-hmm. Yeah, that's a really special story and great meaning behind choosing a number, you know, not for yourself, but for the meaning and, you know, how God plays a role in your life. What is it like to be a Christian on Florida's basketball team?

It's special. I mean, just being able to represent God every opportunity, whether that's in practice, in a game, it's definitely special and definitely holds a lot of weight because you know there's eyes on you at all times. So it definitely gives you a lot of benefit knowing that you're out there representing something bigger than yourself, than your family, you're representing God, so.

And within the basketball program, Do you guys all have a team Bible study where you're able to, you know, grow in your faith together?

Yeah, we do. We have a team chaplain that comes every week. They're at practices and stuff like that. They'll do like little Bible study meetings, but it's good. Like we go to, we have teammates that go to church on Sundays together. We go to church on Wednesdays. So it's been good being a part of a team like this.

Mm-hmm. I see that you have a Bible verse as a tattoo. What is that verse and what does it mean to you?

Yeah, it's John 13:7 and it's, you not realize what I'm doing now, later you will understand. So it's just a reminder that you may be going through something tough at sometimes, but there's, it's great on the other side. And just keep in mind that what God has for you is always gonna be for you. So he'll never lead you, lead you away or anything like that. He's, his plans are good for your life.

I noticed that like when you speak about the Lord, you know, you're smiling, filled with joy. For someone that hasn't yet met the Lord or might not know him, What would you say to someone who doesn't know Jesus?

Um, I would say, uh, getting to know him is probably the best decision I made of my life. Um, I feel like this world can, uh, bring you down, but there's always hope and joy in the Lord. And, uh, even when things aren't going good, there's joy knowing that he's by your side and that he, uh, he's gonna always protect you.

Mm-hmm. Who would you say Jesus is to you?

I say Jesus is my everything.

So as you look ahead to this tournament, what are some of the challenges of March Madness that, you know, the average fan might not be aware of?

I would just say, I mean, it's one game. You lose that game, you're done. So just the pressure of knowing that you have to win that game to advance. So it's a lot of— it's a lot that goes behind it, but you have to be prepared to bring your best every game or You're going home.

Mm-hmm. And then, so being a senior here at Florida, what are you studying and what are some of your future goals, whether it's, you know, next steps with basketball or, you know, life after basketball?

Yeah, I'm studying sports management right now. So I definitely want to play professionally in the NBA after my college career. But after that, I want to do something like operations in the NBA front office.

Okay.

Yeah.

Could be a GM.

Yeah, something like that. Putting the pieces together.

Yeah. I like it. And then outside of basketball, what are some things that you enjoy doing?

I'm very simple. Outside of basketball, I'm sleeping a lot, playing video games, like watching movies and hanging with friends. I'm a real chill guy, so I don't really do much outside of basketball.

Okay. And then what type of music do you like to listen to?

I listen to a little bit of everything. I like old school R&B, listen to gospel, Christian music. I was in Nashville for a year, so I listened to a little country, so.

Okay.

Yeah, my music is pretty versatile.

Yeah, you're expanding your horizons there.

Yeah, I am.

With the Christian music, do you have any favorite artists or favorite songs?

I listen to a lot of like Elevation Worship and Maverick City. Those are my two go-tos, I'll probably say.

So in Gainesville, what are some of your favorite places to eat?

Favorite places to eat. We got a sushi place downtown called Dragonfly. Very good sushi. Um, I go to Chipotle a lot. That's one of my go-tos. And then, um—

We gotta hear your Chipotle order.

Chipotle order.

Big.

Okay, I'm going a chicken bowl with the white rice, corn, queso, lettuce, medium salsa, and then you gotta have the vinaigrette on top.

Okay.

Yeah.

A little extra sauce. Extra sauce. Yeah, I like it. Um, And then what is it like to play for Coach Golding and how does he impact you and your teammates?

I would just say it's fun to play for Coach Golding. I mean, he's a player's coach. He wants everybody out there playing freely and having fun. So it's definitely good playing for a coach that really supports his players, wants his players to succeed. And just knowing that he wants to win as much as anybody, he's a true competitor. So when you're playing with a coach that has that kind of fire, definitely fuels you too.

And is there anything else that you feel led to share or would like to share before we wrap up the podcast?

I do have a story from like when I was very younger that very like, looking back on it now, it definitely changed my view on stuff of how basketball can, I can use that to benefit God. We were going, I used to go to basketball camps as a kid and My mom, she was dropping me off. I was probably like first, second grade. And she dropped me off at the camp and then she was leaving and a car got in front of her and it flipped the car 8 or 10 times. And thank God she came out with only a little scratch, but like looking back on it now, like if it wasn't for basketball, I don't know if I would be here surviving that car crash since it was so bad. But—

Hmm.

Looking back at it now, it just proved to me that if it wasn't for basketball, I don't know if I'll be here or not. So that's just a reminder that I can use that as an outlet to just give God all the glory for everything. Because if it wasn't for basketball, I don't know where I would be.

Yeah, man, that's a powerful story. And especially for you to recognize that like at such a young age and the Lord promises that he will, you know, he'll always protect us. He will never leave us or forsake us. It was evident that he had his hand on you and your mom that day. So praise him for that. Well, thanks so much for joining us today. Really appreciate your time and your stories and wish you all the best in March.

I appreciate you having me.