Steve Kerr likes rookie who ‘looks like he’s in year seven’

It’s hard for second-round picks to stay in the NBA, let alone make significant contributions in their first season. But after a strong training camp, Will Richard works fast his way in Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors‘, and he could be around for the long haul.

Richard looked comfortable Golden State won 119-109 over the Los Angeles Lakers, scoring 5 points on a perfect two-of-two shooting in 14 minutes. With Moses Moody lost to a calf injury, Richard gave the Dubs much-needed two-way wing depth. He was a representative guarding the Lakers the first scorers in Luka Dončić and Austin Reeves, while remaining a threat in attack.

After the game, head coach Steve Kerr praised Richard’s performance, awarding him rather than a game ball.

“Usually I know when someone’s first (basket) and I make sure we get the ball from the officials right away,” Kerr said. “I totally forgot tonight. And I told the guys the reason I forgot is because Will (Richard) looks like he’s in year seven. He doesn’t look like a rookie.”

Richard’s most impressive sequence of the night came in the first quarter. He moved all the way from the weak side and stole a pass from DeAndre Ayton in the post, then found Gary Payton II for a lob down the stretch on a transition opportunity he created.

Look at Will Richard pic.twitter.com/n2MvK58aEP

— Joe Virai (@JoeViraiNBA) October 22, 2025

Kerr also talked about what made him realize Richard could play real NBA minutes despite his second round rookie status.

“It was after the first few exhibition games he played in,” Kerr said. “You just keep seeing him making the right cut, being in the right place at the right time, like he was on that late offensive rebound that he scored on.”

Will Richard’s potential

Richard fell to the 56th pick in the 2025 NBA draft due to his relatively advanced age. Having spent four years in college, three of them at Florida, scouts viewed his age as a negative, limiting his potential. But in the NIL era, with players staying longer in college, it looks like the real gems may emerge late in the draft, given how the NBA views age as a downside.

For Kerr, the fact that Richard got real representation in Florida, leading the Gators to a national championship last season, is actually a positive. Last week, Kerr emphasized how Richard’s experience helps him be ready for the NBA right away.

“The last couple of years, we’ve seen it with Quintin (Post) and with Will, you get these guys who went to college for four years. They’ve just had so many more reps. Almost like Brock Purdy or something,” Kerr said.

“It’s important because you’re just seeing these images over and over again. Quentin and Will came in with a different level of awareness and understanding and the ability to absorb what they’ve learned immediately because they’ve seen things so often.”

It also helps that Richard has absorbed as much insight and knowledge from his own hall of fame teammates as possible.

Warriors rookie Will Richard on his two preseason starts and how he’s adjusted to the NBA level:

“I think I did well. I was able to play with vets like that … knowing this is a veteran team, I had to catch up fast because they’re not going to wait for you.” pic.twitter.com/M8Sk20eCUKS

— Kenzo Fukuda (@kenzofuku) October 18, 2025

“For me, knowing this is a veteran team, I had to catch up quickly because they’re not going to wait for you,” Richard said last week. “I’m just asking a lot of questions, trying to learn as much as possible from these vets, and just trying to be on the same page with everybody so I can know what’s going on when I get a chance to go out there.”