Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin, and Will Richard finished their national championship senior year with the ultimate success, all three being selected in the NBA Draft.
By: Denver Parler
Florida's Alijah Martin and Will Richard were both chosen during the second round of the NBA Draft on Thursday. Martin was the 39th pick, selected by the Toronto Raptors, while Richard went 56th to the Golden State Warriors (whose pick was acquired through a deal with Memphis).
By joining Walter Clayton Jr. (18th pick to the Utah Jazz), the trio forms the second-largest draft class in the history of the Florida program (trailing only five players drafted in 2007). The three players were the highest-scoring combination in program history last season, collectively leading the Gators to the 2025 national championship.
Martin, a Summit, Mississippi native, is now the 39th player drafted in Florida history and is the first Gator ever to be selected by the Raptors organization.
"I’m dealing with a mix of emotions right now; I’m excited and a little nervous," Martin told ESPN from the Barclays Center following his selection. "I'm prepared to advance to the next level and demonstrate my full capabilities."
When asked what lessons he took from Florida’s championship success last season, Martin replied, "The significance of team chemistry. I believe that dedication carries over to the next level, and that’s something we prioritized successfully."
Bringing that winning mentality 🙂↕️ pic.twitter.com/dIP659oxFJ
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) June 27, 2025
Alijah Martin averaged a personal-best 14.4 points per game, a scoring rate that was key to Florida winning the 2025 national championship. His heroic moment came in the final game when he sank the go-ahead free throws with only 46.5 seconds remaining. After being part of Florida Atlantic’s 2023 Final Four team, Martin made history by becoming the first player ever to start in the Final Four for two different schools. Over his five-season collegiate career, his totals were impressive: 2,022 points, 786 rebounds, 321 three-point field goals, 253 assists, and 211 steals.
Will Richard, who hails from Fairburn, Georgia, is now the 40th Gator drafted all-time and only the second player chosen by the Golden State Warriors (the first was Andrew DeClercq in 1995, at the 34th pick).
As the first commitment to Todd Golden and his staff in 2022, Richard was considered the foundational piece of the renewed program. He was a force in the 2025 national championship game, leading Florida with 18 points and eight rebounds. Across his three seasons at Florida (108 appearances, 105 starts), Richard compiled 1,275 points, 470 rebounds, 201 three-point field goals, 148 assists, and 129 steals. He often performed brilliantly in high-pressure situations, earning spots on both the SEC Tournament and Final Four All-Tournament Teams in 2025. Richard completed his degree at UF in Sport Management in Spring 2025 and sits 33rd on Florida's all-time scoring list.
Golden boy to the Golden State #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/UW5VaAhjGB
— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) June 27, 2025
Years with Multiple Gators Selected in the NBA Draft
The following seasons represent years where the Florida men's basketball program had multiple players chosen in the NBA Draft:
- 2025-Walter Clayton Jr. (18th/Jazz), Alijah Martin (39th/Raptors), Will Richard (56th/Warriors)
- 2021-Tre Mann (18th/Thunder), Scottie Lewis (56th/Hornets)
- 2011-Chandler Parsons (38th/Rockets), Vernon Macklin (52nd/Pistons)
- 2007-Al Horford (3rd/Hawks), Corey Brewer (7th/Timberwolves), Joakim Noah (9th/Bulls), Chris Richard (41st/Timberwolves), Taurean Green (52nd/Trail Blazers)
- 2000-Mike Miller (5th/Magic), Donnell Harvey (22nd/Knicks)
- 1984-Ronnie Williams (48th/Celtics), Vernon Delancy (67th/Bucks)
2025-26 Men's Basketball Season Tickets
Following an exceptional year that included a 15–1 home record, nine sellout crowds, and the highest total attendance since the 2016–2017 season, the defending National Champions are positioned for another exciting year in the O'Dome.
Season ticket packages for the 2025–2026 campaign are currently on sale and selling quickly. Ensure you secure your seats while supplies last!
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