Will ex-Gators Alijah Martin, Will Richard be selected during NBA

GAINESVILLE– Florida guards Alijah Martin and Will Richard became accustomed last season to working as Walter Clayton Jr.’s supporting cast.

Each is a talent in his own right and sometimes was a force of nature during the Gators’ national title run, but Clayton typically stole the program. The NBA draft must be no different.

But with UF’s All-American guard a most likely first-round choice, Martin and Richard wish to make their existence felt throughout Thursday’s 2nd round.

“Both of them are strong second-round choices,” ESPN analyst Jay Bilas stated during a current teleconference. “Both those guys are excellent players that I expect to play in the NBA.”

Florida guard Alijah Martin dives in for a slam dunk throughout the Gators’ 79-73 win versus Auburn in the 2025 Last 4.(Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) The two previous Gator stars will have to follow a more difficult course than Clayton, provided first-rounders indication four-year deals with a fifth-year alternative. Martin might have an easier one; he is a popular second-round choice among NBA mock drafts.

Yahoo Sports tasks him to go No. 37 to the Detroit Pistons, Sporting News No. 45 to the Chicago Bulls and Hall of Popularity coach Billy Donovan, and ESPN.com No. 57 to the Orlando Magic.

Heading into the 60-player draft, The Athletic rates Martin the No. 59 possibility and Richard No. 62.

“I’m extremely confident that both will be on NBA rosters,” UF coach Todd Golden stated. “Whether that’s a two-way [agreement], or whether it’s getting second-round chosen, I do not understand precisely.”

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Martin uses volatility, perseverance and winning mentality to offset a lack of height.

The Mississippi native assisted FAU to the Final 4 before he moved in 2024 to UF, where he right away and infused a new attitude on defense that was important to a 36-win season and the school’s third nationwide title. Martin was second to Clayton averaging 14.4 points, to opt for 4.5 rebounds a night, 56 total takes and the ability to deal with the toughest protective project on the border.

Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor called Martin “a hyper-athletic, high-energy guard who plays bigger than his size and effects the game with his strength, rebounding and protective grit.”

O’Connor also warned, “his positional ‘tweener status, streaky shooting and limited production ability complicate his course to take a specialized role.”

Florida guard Will Richard began 105 games and made 201 3s during 3 seasons at Florida. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) The 6-foot-4, 206-pound Richard has more length and exceptional shooting ability– he made 201 threes during 3 seasons at UF. The 2022 Belmont University transfer also is a strong rebounder at his position, averaging 4.4 rebounds for the Gators, and led the 2025 group with 69 steals.

“We’ve won enough, and those guys, Will and Alijah have done enough in those exercises where we’re getting unbelievable evaluations,” Golden said. “Guys are actually delighted in what they see. So I think both of those guys will wind up in fantastic situations.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com!.?.! Initially Published: June 25, 2025 at 8:42 AM