Walter Clayton Jr. won at the college level and is ready to take the next steps as he prepares for the NBA Draft.
The NBA Draft is set for June 25, and the order was decided earlier this week, with the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs shockingly rising up to the top two picks. The Mavericks are expected to draft Cooper Flagg, and the Spurs will likely add Dylan Harper, although there is talent up and down the draft for teams in the first round.
Florida standout Walter Clayton Jr., who led the Gators to a national championship and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, is not even expected to be a lottery pick, demonstrating the sheer amount of talent in the class.
Still, Clayton Jr. and other late-round selections could be excellent NBA players once they find their footing, and the champion received some high praise.
Photo by Brett Wilhelm/NCAA Photos via Getty ImagesWalter Clayton Jr. compared to Payton Pritchard
In his final college season, Clayton Jr. averaged 18.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 steals before winning a national title. He shot well, clearly has poise, and is one of the more advanced prospects in the draft class.
At 22 years old, he is not nearly as young as some of the top prospects, but he presents as a “win now” player who doesn’t shy away from the biggest moments.
“Obviously, he was kind of the darling of the NCAA tournament and kind of put us on our, on his back at times, and finish games for us and deserve to win the Most Outstanding Player,” reflected Florida coach Todd Golden.
“I think he is just a remarkable basketball player. A guy that can just hoop, make shots with the best of them. You know, like I look at a guy like Payton Pritchard right now in the NBA and the success that he’s having. Obviously, I’m biased, but I think Walt’s a little, like, I think he’s a little more dynamic.”
Clayton Jr. has had success playing in both guard spots, much like Pritchard, and could be the best bench player on an excellent team, bringing winning experience as a rookie.
“I think he’s incredible with the basketball, a guy that was primarily thought of as kind of a two guard his whole career. We played him at point last season. He did a great job running our team.”
Clayton Jr. is expected to be picked between 15th and 25th, although a team could reach for him in the late lottery.
Walter Clayton Jr. is ready for the NBA
Clayton Jr. shot a stellar 38.6% from 3-point range in his final college season and boasts a quick release as both a catch-and-shoot threat and off the dribble.
He has a season’s worth of experience as the primary ball-handler and can run the second unit, or he can slot in with the starters and be more of an off-ball threat, providing more versatility than most later picks.
He is also a complete prospect, whose development is already nearing its end. His defense and interior scoring are not the best, so don’t expect him to be a perfect player, which is why he is not expected to be drafted in the lottery.
The Atlanta Hawks, as they try to build around Trae Young, seem like a solid landing spot, as do the Orlando Magic, who could always use more shooting.