Jazz rookie Walter Clayton Jr. to return to jersey number worn at Iona

After previously wearing No. 1 at Florida, rookie Walter Clayton Jr. will return to an old jersey number to begin his career in the NBA with the Utah Jazz.

Clayton opted to wear No. 13 with the Jazz, a number he previously wore at Lake Wales High School and as a freshman at Iona University. He changed to No. 1 as a sophomore with the Gaels and kept it for his last two years with the Gators.

The 18th pick was forced to select a new number with No. 1 retired to honor former head coach Frank Layden. He is set to become the 10th player to wear No. 13 with the Jazz and the first since Isaiah Collier, who is changing to No. 8 for next season.

Clayton led the Gators to their third national championship, averaging 18.3 points, 4.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals on 38.6% shooting from 3-point range. He ranked eighth in the country in scoring, setting the single-season program record with 713 total points.

The 22-year-old logged four appearances with the Jazz in summer league, averaging 13.5 points, 4.8 assists and 3.2 rebounds on 37.9% shooting from 3-point range. He registered two 20-point performances, including a 21-point outing on July 11.

Clayton established himself as one of the top guards in the country last season and will now get to work with the Jazz. The team was excited to add him to the roster and is eager to see him compete for rotation minutes, beginning in training camp next month.

Note: Throughout August, Rookie Wire is looking at every first-round pick and why each player selected their respective jersey number as they make the jump to the NBA.

This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Jazz news: Walter Clayton Jr. to return to jersey number worn at Iona

Jazz rookie Walter Clayton Jr. to return to jersey number worn at Iona

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