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. ...
