Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. to test NBA Draft waters

Florida Gators standout junior guard Walter Clayton Jr. will test the NBA Draft waters. If he doesn’t like his options, he plans to play his final season in Gainesville.

Clayton, an ALL-SEC performer this season, announced this news via Instagram on Monday.

“I am grateful for being able to come home this past year and be a part of something special being built here in Gainesville,” Clayton posted. “With the support of Coach (Todd) Golden, Coach McCray and the rest of the staff, I want to announce I will be entering my name into the 2024 NBA Draft while maintaining my college eligibility for the option to return to no other than the University of Florida. Thank you to everyone for the support.”

Clayton, who played at Bartow (Fla.) High, led Florida in scoring at 17.6 points per game this season, to go along with 3.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists. He transferred to Florida after two seasons at Iona.

In Florida’s season-ending loss to Colorado, Clayton finished with a career-high 33 points, the second-most in Florida NCAA Tournament history behind only KeVaughn Allen’s 35 in the 2017 Sweet 16 vs. Wisconsin.

It was his first 30-point game as a Gator and the second of his career. Clayton scored 20 or more points in 15 games this season.. 

“Walt is a fantastic player. Got a lot of heart, got a lot of belief,” UF coach Todd Golden said after the Colorado loss. “He believed the whole time that we could get back in the game. Did a great job attacking the rim late, obviously hit that big three to tie it up. He’s a stud, man. He’s a Gator. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Per Zach Abolverdi of Gators Online, “Clayton was one of four transfer starters who joined the 2023-24 team and helped lead the Gators to their best season years. He finished with 633 points, which ranks No. 5 in Florida history. Clayton also extended his free throw streak to 42 on Friday before missing his last attempt, tying Canyon Barry’s school record (set in 2016-17) for most consecutive free throws made.

Said Clayton: “It means a lot. I hope it means a lot to everybody. I think it does. Just coming back and trying to build something here. This is kind of a stepping stone to keep on moving forward.”

Should Clayton return for another season, it would hugely significant for the Gators, who are set to lose All-SEC point guard  Zyon Pullin and standout power-forward Tyrese Samuel, who are out of eligibility.

Here are some other notes on Clayton from his official Florida Gators bio:

• Has scored 1,404 points in 100 appearances over three seasons, including one at Florida at two at Iona.
• Earned second-team All-SEC honors and SEC All-Tournament team recognition during his first season at Florida.
• His 633 points in 2023-24 marked the #5 single-season total in Florida history, and his career-high 33 points in the NCAA Tournament game vs. Colorado marked the second-most by a Gator in the NCAA Tournament.
• Earned Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Player of the Year and unanimous first-team All-MAAC honors as a sophomore in 2022-23.
• In two seasons at Iona, totaled 771 points, 207 rebounds, 154 assists, 83 steals and 30 blocked shots in 64 games with 35 starts. Had two double-doubles, 37 double-figure scoring games and 13 games with 20+ points, including 30 points at Niagara (2/12/23).

Honors

• 2024 Coaches Second-Team All-SEC
• 2024 All-SEC Tournament Team
• 2023 MAAC Player of the Year
• 2023 First-Team All-MAAC (unanimous)
• 2023 NCAA Stat Champion – .953 Free Throw Percentage