Will Richard entered the NBA knowing the competition would be tougher than anything he had experienced in college. What he could not fully anticipate, however, was the relentless pace of an 82-game season and the physical and mental challenges that come with it. His rookie campaign with the Golden State Warriors became an important learning experience, showing him what it truly takes to compete at basketball’s highest level.
The former Florida standout made an immediate impression during his first season, earning valuable minutes through his defensive effort, versatility, and willingness to embrace the Warriors’ system. His strong early performances even led to occasional starts, giving the second-round draft pick an opportunity to prove he belonged in the rotation.
As the season progressed, though, the accumulated workload from the previous year eventually caught up with him. After finishing a demanding college season, completing numerous pre-draft workouts, participating in Summer League, and immediately transitioning into NBA training camp, Richard admitted the physical toll became impossible to ignore.
Rather than viewing that difficult stretch as a setback, the 23-year-old is using it as motivation. Heading into his second NBA season, Richard has dedicated his offseason to improving his conditioning, sharpening his skills, and preparing himself to maintain a high level of play throughout the long regular season.
1. Learning From the Rookie Wall
Like many first-year NBA players, Richard discovered that the transition from college basketball to the professional schedule requires significant adjustments. Despite believing he could avoid the so-called “rookie wall,” he eventually experienced the fatigue that many veterans had warned him about.
The physical demands became most noticeable around January, when months of nonstop basketball finally caught up with him. While his energy dipped during the latter portion of the season, Richard said the experience taught him valuable lessons about managing his body over a much longer schedule than he had previously encountered.
One of his biggest takeaways involved the importance of recovery. Nutrition, sleep, strength maintenance, and overall body care became priorities as he recognized that talent alone is not enough to survive an NBA season. Maintaining peak performance requires consistent attention to every aspect of physical preparation.
Veteran teammates also reassured him that his experience was far from unusual. Many told Richard they still feel the effects of the demanding schedule every season, emphasizing that adapting to the NBA’s pace is an ongoing process rather than something players completely overcome after one year.
2. Building a Better Foundation
Determined to avoid a repeat of last season’s late-year slowdown, Richard has approached this offseason with clear objectives. His focus extends beyond simply adding strength, as he is also working on movement shooting, quicker decision-making, and improving the physical durability needed to withstand another full campaign.
Golden State’s coaching staff has taken notice of his commitment. Assistant coach Khalid Robinson praised Richard’s professionalism and daily approach, saying the young guard has remained focused on every developmental goal discussed with the team’s coaches after last season concluded.
The Warriors believe Richard already possesses many of the qualities needed to become a dependable contributor. His defensive versatility, willingness to hustle, and ability to play multiple roles fit well within Steve Kerr’s system. Now the emphasis is on refining those skills rather than completely reinventing his game.
Improving his point-of-attack defense and making quicker offensive decisions remain among the organization’s primary development goals. Combined with added strength and improved conditioning, those refinements could allow Richard to become a more consistent presence in Golden State’s rotation throughout the season.
3. Driven by Winning
While basketball remains his primary focus, Richard has also recognized the importance of maintaining balance away from the court. To avoid mental burnout, he has added activities such as golf lessons and hot yoga to his offseason routine, giving himself opportunities to relax while still supporting his overall physical health.
Golf has become one of his newest hobbies, although he admits he still needs more practice before joining Warriors superstar Stephen Curry, whose passion for the sport is well known. For Richard, these activities provide a healthy escape from the daily demands of basketball without sacrificing his commitment to improvement.
Ultimately, Richard’s offseason work is fueled by a desire to help Golden State return to deeper postseason success. After finishing last season in the play-in tournament, he wants to become a more impactful contributor on a team with championship aspirations and believes improving every aspect of his game will help achieve that goal.
That competitive mindset has defined every stage of Richard’s basketball journey, from earning college opportunities to reaching the NBA. His early Summer League performances—averaging 10.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.0 steals while shooting 50 percent from three-point range through three games—suggest he is already making progress. As he prepares for his second NBA season, Richard hopes the lessons learned from his rookie campaign will allow him to stay productive from opening night through the final months of the schedule.