Proverbs 3:6 states, "In all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight." For Will Richard, that guiding principle has shaped his journey and ultimately led him to the Florida Gators basketball program.

This verse has influenced Richard’s life choices, and on Monday afternoon, Florida head coach Todd Golden presented him with the Lt. Fred Koss Award. The honor is given to a player who embodies the qualities of a true team leader during his time at Florida. For Richard, leadership and selflessness come naturally, as he consistently puts others first and sets the tone by example.

"Will has impacted Florida Basketball in many ways since the first day he arrived on our campus," Golden said. "His passion for being a Gator and for our program has been a huge part of building our fantastic culture both on and off the court. He is a young man who leads by example and exemplifies the ideals of the Lt. Fred Koss Award."

Richard’s career has been filled with memorable highlights. He has averaged double figures in scoring across all four seasons, shooting 46.5 percent from the field while collecting five rebounds per game. His career-best performance came against Georgia in February, when he scored 30 points, and he has reached 20 or more points in 14 games as a Gator.

Just two weeks ago, after scoring 25 points against Texas A&M, Richard surpassed Gator legends Joakim Noah and Al Horford with his 1,135th career point. Yet for him, the most important part was the team’s victory. "I'd rather score zero and win. I'm here to win!" he said.

On the floor, Richard consistently delivers in pivotal moments—whether by drawing a charge, making a steal, or securing a loose ball rebound. On January 22, in a road matchup at South Carolina, he hit the game-winning shot with 4.5 seconds left, capping a comeback from a 14-point deficit in a key SEC victory.

Richard’s foundation is his family, led by his parents Helen and Al, along with his sister Sara and brother Al Jr. Their shared faith has been central to their lives.

Off the court, Will Richard dedicates time to serving the community. He has volunteered at Fort Clark Middle School and supported the Food for Kids backpack program. This season, he and his teammates raised funds for the Alachua County School system by making three-pointers. Richard prioritizes giving back, telling a group of high school students, "Success isn't random, it is built daily through intentional decisions."

Will Richard exemplifies what it means to be a student-athlete. He will graduate this spring with a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management and joins 48 other former Gator players over the past 51 years as a recipient of the prestigious Lt. Fred Koss Award.