Florida football coach Billy Napier provides opening statement after first spring practice scrimmage
Napier and the Gators have three more practices before the Orange and Blue game on Saturday, April 12.
Walter Clayton Jr. has been as clutch as any player during Florida basketball’s run in the 2025 men’s NCAA Tournament.
Clayton has been the closer for the Gators in close victories over two-time defending national champion and No. 8 seed UConn and No. 3 Texas Tech. Clayton hit game-tying and go-ahead 3-pointers in Florida‘s comeback victory over the Red Raiders to erase a nine-point deficit in the final four minutes.
As a result of Clayton’s heroics, the Gators are back in the Final Four for the first time since 2014. Florida takes on No. 1 overall seed Auburn in the national semifinal matchup at 6:09 p.m. Saturday from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The Gators are seeking their first national championship game appearance since 2007, the last time they have won it all.
Before the season, Clayton returned to Florida to bolster his NBA draft status. After his heroic run in the NCAA Tournament, Clayon has gotten into the conversation as a late first-round pick.
Here’s a look at how Clayton projects in the NBA draft ahead of the Final Four:
Walter Clayton Jr. NBA mock draft
Here are the latest NBA draft projections for Clayton from numerous experts:
- The Athletic: Second round, No. 41 overall to the Golden State Warriors
- CBS Sports: First round, No. 25 overall to the Orlando Magic
- Yahoo! Sports: First round, No. 25 overall to the Orlando Magic
Walter Clayton Jr. scouting report
Yahoo Sports’ NBA writer Kevin O’Connor talked about Clayton’s performance in the NCAA Tournament and how it has impacted his draft stock:
“A week ago against UConn, he’s hitting a fadeaway 3 off balance to clinch it, sidestep 3 prior to that,” O’Connor said. “I mean, he was amazing in the closing minutes of that game against UConn. And then he does it again in the Elite Eight.
“Walter Clayton, man, I had him ranked in the 50s. I’m moving him up about 15-20 spots.”
Walter Clayton Jr. stats
Here are Clayton’s season averages in college basketball career with Iona and Florida:
- 2021-22 (Iona): 7.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists per game on 43.4% shooting. 0.3 blocks and 0.8 steals per game in 32 games (four starts)
- 2022-23 (Iona): 16.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists per game on 45.5% shooting. 0.6 blocks and 1.8 steals per game in 32 games (31 starts)
- 2023-24 (Florida): 17.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists per game on 43.2% shooting. 0.6 blocks and 1.1 steals per game in 36 games (36 starts)
- 2024-25 (Florida): 18.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists per game on 44.6% shooting. 0.5 blocks and 1.2 steals per game in 37 games (37 starts)
Walter Clayton Jr. height
Clayton is listed at 6-foot-3, 195-pounds on the Florida roster. He has played both guard positions for the Gators in his two seasons with the program.
Walter Clayton Jr. age
Clayton was born on March 6, 2003, making him 22 years old. He received offers for college football from Florida, Notre Dame, Tennessee, and others and was part of the 2021 recruiting class.
