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Overview

Lost in the shuffle of the team's back-to-back national championships was the stellar play of Richard coming off the bench. He only started four of 141 games during his career, seeing action at all three front court positions, but he finished his time at Florida as the winningest player in school history, and was a part of 112 wins, three SEC Tournament titles, an SEC East title and an SEC regular season title, along with two national titles in his four years in Gainesville.

Richard was critical in the Gators' run to the 2007 national title, hitting an astounding 84.6 percent from the floor in the 2007 NCAA Tournament, averaging 9.0 points per game. He was regarded as one of the most improved players in the Southeastern Conference, earning 2007 SEC Sixth Man of the Year honors, as he scored 248 points (6.2 ppg), hauled down a career-high 147 rebounds (3.7 rpg), doled out 17 assists and had 13 steals with 12 blocked shots in 40 games during the 2006-07 campaign.

At Lakeland Kathleen High School, Richard was selected as Florida's Mr. Basketball, the Gatorade Florida High School Boys Basketball Player of the Year and the Class 4A Player of the Year in 2003 after helping his team to a 22-6 mark. He was rated as one of the top power forwards in the nation by every major recruiting service and ranked as the No. 44 overall High School prospect by Rivalshoops.com Richard averaged 17.3 points, 14.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 7.0 blocked shots per game during his senior season. As a junior, he averaged 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists, as the team advanced to the regional finals and ended the year with an impressive 28-5 record. He also played on the adidas All-Stars with 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year Amare Stoudamire of the Phoenix Suns.

Richard chose Florida over Alabama, Auburn and Miami, committing to the school on July 5, 2002. He became the third Mr. Basketball from the state of Florida to play for Billy Donovan. In 2003-04, he came off the bench in all 30 games, scoring 113 points (3.8 ppg) with 78 rebounds (2.6 rpg) while shooting .690 from the field. He also blocked 13 shots. As a sophomore, he appeared in 32 games. He hit on 61.6% of his shots from the field (45-of-73) and averaged 3.3 points with 2.5 rebounds per game. He chipped in 13 steals and 20 blocked shots while averaging 12.4 minutes per game.

The 2005-06 season saw Richard's playing time increase to 17.5 minutes per game. He hit on 97-of-139 field goals (.698) and 38-of-54 free throws for 232 points (5.9 ppg). He snared 140 rebounds (3.6 rpg), doled out 19 assists with 14 steals and had 14 blocked shots.

In 141 games at Florida, Richard started only four times, but he connected on 286-of-430 field goals (.665) and 125-of-198 free throws (.631) for 697 points (4.9 ppg) while averaging 15.6 minutes of action per game. He grabbed 445 rebounds (3.2 rpg) with 162 coming off the offensive boards. He blocked 59 shots and had 49 assists with 48 steals. He was charged with 307 Personal fouls (2.2 pg) and had 138 turnovers.

Scouting Report

Positives: Lacks the size to play in the pivot and is shorter than ideal for power forward, but has the wingspan, standing reach and overall strength to maintain position and push the opponent out of the paint...Shows good quickness up and down the court and displays good hands to pass the ball out to the open outlet when the lane is clogged... Gets most of his points under the basket, but shows good elevation and a high release point that makes it tough for a defender to block his shot...Powers his way to box out his man and knows how to throw his elbows around when combating centers in the low post...Demonstrates good body lean to push and shove his man aside when the opponent attempts to drive to the basket on him...Works well with his teammates on pick-&-rolls and anchors himself squarely setting up screens...Comfortable playing with his back to the basket, showing good moves off the ball to generate a quick dunk or back away for the hook shot...When he keeps his feet under the basket, he knows how to get wide and clear room for his guards when operating in space...Might bobble a few rebounds due to ball security issues, but shows better hands when fed the ball to finish in transition (does a good job and shows great tenacity in attempts to get position in the paint)...Good hustler who will sacrifice his body to chase down loose balls...Patient shooter who uses his frame well to set up the pick-and-rolls.

Negatives: Physical rebounder, but lacks an offensive touch, getting most of his points on put-backs or while stationed under the basket (never attempted a three-point shot in four seasons)...Despite his strength and reach, he is not really much of a shot blocker...Gets a good portion of his rebounds off the offensive glass, but must time his leaps better, as he doesn't get as many boards as a player of his size should (mostly due to ball security, as he will bobble the ball at times when going up to secure it)...Must use his power better to create room for himself when playing inside the post...His leaping ability needs improvement (30.5 inches), as he loses some rebound battles due to poor timing and elevation...Physical defender, but will get a little reckless with his hands, leading to foul trouble.

Compares to: RYAN GOMES-Boston...Richard is a "good soldier" who is very comfortable earning several minutes of playing time at all three front court positions. He started only four of 141 games during his career, but likes to do the physical work on the court. His offensive game is lacking, as most of his scoring comes under the basket, but he is a strong presence boxing out his man and clearing space for his teammates. He needs to work on his leaping ability, as he fails to alter shots or get lots of rebounds due to his inability to get vertical. Several potential rebounds were lost due to marginal hands, as he tends to bobble the ball often. Still, his lunch pail attitude will get him in camp this summer. However, he might not be anything more than an end-of-the-bench type.

Orlando Pre-draft Camp Measurements:

7-4.5 Wingspan...9-2.5 Standing Reach...7.5% Body Fat...30.5-inch Vertical Leap...Bench pressed 185 pounds 15 times...11.39 Lane Agility...3.29 Court Sprint (3/4).

High School

Attended Lakeland (Fla.) Kathleen High School Selected as Florida's Mr. Basketball, the Gatorade Florida High School Boys Basketball Player of the Year and the Class 4A Player of the Year in 2003 after helping his team to a 22-6 mark...Rated as one of the top power forwards in the nation by every major recruiting service and ranked as the No. 44 overall High School prospect by Rivalshoops.com...Averaged 17.3 points, 14.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 7.0 blocked shots per game during his senior season...As a junior, he averaged 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists, as the team advanced to the regional finals and ended the year with an impressive 28-5 record...Played on the adidas All-Stars with 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year Amare Stoudamire of the Phoenix Suns.

Personal:

Sociology major...Born 12/25/84...Resides in Lakeland, Florida.