GAINESVILLE — Florida guard Alijah Martin was positioned for a superb evening when the NBA invited him to the inexperienced room for the second spherical of the draft.
The chances backcourt mate Will Richard would hear his identify known as weren’t almost as favorable.
By evening’s finish, the Gators’ nationwide championship backcourt accomplished the trifecta.
Martin didn’t have to attend too lengthy Thursday evening on the Barclay’s Heart in Brooklyn, touchdown with the Toronto Raptors simply 9 picks into the second spherical within the No. 39 spot. With 4 picks to go in two-round, 60-player occasion, Richard landed with the Golden State Warriors after the Memphis Grizzlies chosen him at No. 56 and traded him, just like the destiny of Walter Clayton Jr. an evening earlier.
ESPN caught up with an emotional Martin following his choice.
“It’s a bunch of feelings, excited, nervous,” he mentioned. “Simply able to get to the subsequent degree and present what I can do.”
Undersized at 6-foot-2, however a robust and explosive 215 kilos, Martin’s function within the Gators’ nationwide championship success together with sturdy exercises for NBA groups positioned him within the second spherical of many mock drafts.
Clayton was the 18th participant chosen Wednesday when Washington drafted him, after which instantly traded him to the Utah Jazz. Going within the top-20 was larger than anticipated, however everybody figured Clayton as a first-rounder following his outstanding postseason concluded with the varsity’s third nationwide championship.
Martin and Richard performed essential roles themselves, or else the Gators would have been denied alongside the best way.
Martin had 14 factors within the first half on 6-of-9 taking pictures to maintain UF near two-time defending nationwide champion UConn in the course of the second spherical. Richard then had 13 within the second half of a 77-75 come-from-behind win highlighted by Clayton’s clutch play within the last minutes.
Martin mixed for 14 rebounds throughout wins within the Candy 16 and Elite Eight, respectively, towards Maryland and Texas Tech, two groups with sturdy inside video games to match the Gators. Throughout a 65-63 win towards Houston within the nationwide title, Richard saved the Gators afloat with 14 factors throughout a first-half wrestle ending with UF trailing 31-28.
But, Martin and Richard’s postseason efficiency didn’t guarantee both a shot within the NBA.
Yahoo Sports activities projected Martin to go No. 37 to the Detroit Pistons, describing Martin as “a hyper-athletic, high-energy guard who performs greater than his dimension and impacts the sport along with his toughness, rebounding and defensive grit.”
The Site had Martin larger than anybody, however was not far off its prediction concerning the versatile and tireless Mississippi native who helped FAU to the Last 4 earlier than he transferred in 2024 to UF, the place he instantly and infused a brand new angle on protection that was essential to a 36-win season and the varsity’s third nationwide title.
Martin was second to Clayton averaging 14.4 factors, to go along with 4.5 rebounds an evening, 56 complete steals and the flexibility to deal with the hardest defensive task on the perimeter.
The 6-foot-4, 206-pound Richard provides extra size and superior taking pictures capacity — he made 201 3s throughout three seasons at UF. He additionally Gators with 69 steals.
Richard, although, didn’t constantly slip into any mock drafts, hinting he possible would find yourself an undrafted free agent. As a substitute, he’ll head to Golden State with an opportunity to play with legend Steph Curry and coach Steve Kerr, winners of 4 NBA titles since 2015.
Edgar Thompson will be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
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