Florida Guard Will Richard has a satisfactory end of his college career in winning the title

San Antonio – at the moment when Florida Gators approached the podium Alamad for his or her coronation, it will Will Richard kept the national championship in his arms and swayed them like a child.

When the team members submitted to the Postgame press conference in the media hall, Richard entered the room for room equipment and gently concentrated it on the podium.

Later, when the team gathered in the locker room to rejoice the first school championship since returning in 2006 and 2007, Richard stands in the center of the room, swaying the trophy.

“It’s hard, but I don’t care,” said Richard, when asked about his quick bonds with the prize. “This is a national championship trophy, and I have to wear it.”

On the night where Florida Walter Clayton Jr. And Alijah Martin was never completely offensive (they shot a total of 5-20 from the pitch, and Clayton was flawless in the first half), Richard’s hot hand in the first half in the first half allowed Gators to take care of the game on Monday 65-63.

Richard finished the game with 18 points and eight rebounds – each team ups. Fourteen of these points occurred in the first half, which ended when Gators traveled only about three, despite the two best scorers, Clayton and Martin, connecting just one goal in the first half.

“Houston guarded us great, but we have many guys in this band who can leave,” said Clayton. “(Monday) was one of these nights for Will. He showed it many times this year.”

This season, Richard led the team to attain nine times, including 30 points in his career against Georgia in February. While Clayton and Martin had problems in the first half against the highest rated defense in the country, Richard was on the radiator-bothering in 4 out of six 3-point shots.

“I just try to play to help us stay in the game,” said Richard, who withdrew from the NBA 2024 draft to return to this season. “I knew that if the arrows were open, I had to take them. When I saw the first to come up, I just said,” It’s my time. ” I just try to make a few pieces to help us win. “

Richard often ended up with the ball when Houston sent a further body in Clayton to stop him from running the belt. This didn’t make Clayton ineffective in the first half, he simply made him a facilitator when he registered five out of seven his assists in the first 20 minutes.

The election shooter was not in the state of Richard, who scored 48.6% from the field this season. While Richard was limited to only 4 second half of the points, his heroic in the first half gave Clayton time to get into the center of attention at the end of the game. Clayton’s first goals got here from 7:54, but this shot and the following free kick tied the game to 48.

The 3-point Clayton indicator with 3:14 tied the game at the age of 60. From there, they suppress Florida’s defense, she kept Cougars without a goal in the last 2:04 games. Richard’s shooting in the title match took place after two doubtful trips: he left nine out of 12 shots in the last two tournament matches against Auburn and Texas Tech.

Heroiki on Monday evening brought Richard a place in 4 4 ALL-Tournament bands, joining Clayton, Cooper Flagga (Duke), LJ Cryer and J’an Roberts (each with Houston). Clayton was called the most eminent player of the tournament.

For Richard, timely scoring was a satisfying ending of a college career, which began in Belmont, where he scored a median of 12.1 points per match while starting 30 matches.

When Todd Golden arrived at Florida as the major coach in 2022, Richard was the first player who committed himself to the program. Richard began all games except three since they arrived in Gainesville. Earlier in the NCAA Tournament, Golden called Richard the “elite sets of culture”, which he gave the tone to the team from the 1st day. Martin called him a “leader”.

For Richard, the whole lot was part of the process to assist establish the foundation under the latest management.

“I just wanted to make sure that guys know the standard in which (Golden) wants guys to play,” said Richard. “Just bringing this advantage every day so that we can be where we want.”

Where all the teams wish to be on the pitch after the last match of the season, when “they shiny moment” plays on large screens. After Monday’s match, Richard climbed the ladder to grab the fragment from the network when Luther Vandross’s voice filled the arena.

This fragment, a few hours later, hung at the back of his national championship hat when he was a trophy in the cloakroom.

“When the clock hit Zero, I was shocked because I thought,” We really won the national championship, “said Richard. “This is something I actually have at all times dreamed of and it is exclusive to see that it involves implementation.”

Asked when he intends to desert the trophy, Richard gave the impression that he was planning him when he returned to the hotel room.

“I don’t think I would leave it,” he said with a smile. “I don’t think I’m leaving it.”