Just over a month remains until the start of the 2025 NBA draft, and at least one member of the Florida Gators‘ championship roster is projected to be selected in the first round in late June.

Star point guard Walter Clayton Jr., who willed the Orange and Blue to its SEC and NCAA Tournament titles, is overwhelmingly projected by most, if not all, mock drafts ahead of the event to be among the first 30 picks — but many outlooks vary from near the lottery to the bottom of the first round.

ESPN’s recent offering, penned up by hoops experts Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo, belongs in the latter category, though they both do agree that Clayton will be snatched up on the first day. Their prediction has the UF alumnus taken with the penultimate pick of the opening round by the Phoenix Suns, which they acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“The Suns last year drafted two ready-made contributors in Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro and plugged them in their rotation, and would have an opportunity to do the same with Clayton, the NCAA tournament’s most outstanding player after helping Florida win a national championship,” Givony begins.

“Despite measuring smaller than expected at the combine, Clayton brings tremendous shotmaking prowess and all-around scoring talent, making big plays in clutch moments all season while creating chaos for opposing defenses with his speed and unpredictability. The fact he can play on or off the ball, alongside Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, could be attractive.”

Forward Alex Condon also got a mention in the second round, projected to be taken by the San Antonio Spurs with the 36th overall pick in the draft. This rather bearish assessment seems to suggest that Florida’s front court cornerstone will return to Gainesville for his junior campaign.

Walter Clayton’s senior year stats

The graduating senior out of Bartow, Florida, averaged 18.3 points, 4.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game during the 2024-25 campaign. He earned First-Team All-SEC and All-American honors while being anointed Most Outstanding Player in the 2025 Final Four for his title-winning heroics.

Alex Condon’s sophomore year stats

This season, the multi-talented forward averaged 10.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while cementing his status as a starter in Florida’s rotation. He was recognized as the SEC Player of the Week thrice during the 2024-25 campaign and was named third-team All-SEC.

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