Belmont freshman Will Richard, a standout guard on this year’s men’s basketball squad, has entered the NCAA transfer portal.
Richard helped the Bruins to a 25-8 record this season, a year in which they barely fell short of another Ohio Valley Conference championship.
“With careful prayer and consideration with my family, I have decided to enter the transfer portal,” Richard announced in an Instagram post Monday.
“I wish all of the Belmont community the very best in the years to come and I will forever cherish the friendships and bonds I have developed during my time here.”
The transfer portal “provides student-athletes with the ability to publicly declare their intent to transfer and desire to speak to other schools,” according to the NCAA.
In order to transfer, athletes must notify their program in writing, after which the university has two business days to submit their name to the portal.
Richard is one of two freshmen on the men’s basketball roster. He tallied an average of 27.2 minutes per game and 11.4 points per game this season. He started 23 of the 25 games he appeared in this year.
Despite Richard’s season-long heroics, Belmont narrowly lost its OVC semi-final game to Morehead State University on March 4.
“We work extremely hard to give all of our student-athletes a great experience at Belmont and we did so with Will. We had another great season winning 25 games while earning our way into the NIT and Will had a lot to do with that. In the end, he decided he wanted something else. We wish him well,” said Belmont head coach Casey Alexander in a statement to the Vision.
Richard will now wait to hear from other programs and spend the spring deciding where to continue his career.
“This season did not end the way we all hoped for,” Richard wrote. “But it was such a blessing to battle with my teammates each and every game.”
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PHOTO: Will Richard on the court during Belmont’s homecoming game against Tennessee State University on Feb. 26. Jessica Mattsson / Belmont Vision
This article was written by Sarah Maninger. Updated Wednesday at 1:50 p.m. with a statement from Belmont head coach Casey Alexander.