Walter Clayton Jr, Alex Condon first-round picks in CBS Sports latest mock NBA draft
The Florida Gators were the best team in the nation when the final horn sounded in the NCAA Tournament Championship Game, so it should come as no surprise that the program has at least one player projected as a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA draft.
In fact, the Orange and Blue have two potential top-30 picks from its 2024-25 title-winning roster.
The obvious choice is point guard Walter Clayton Jr., who put on a performance throughout the second half of the season unseen in Gainesville in many a moon. There were times that it looked like Florida would finally flounder, only to have the Lake Wales, Florida, native hoist the team on his shoulders and carry them to victory.
The other is foward/center Alex Condon, who anchored one of the top frontcourts in the nation during his sophomore campaign with the Gators. The combination of his elite athleticism and 6-foot-11-inch, 230-pound frame was too much for the opposition this year.
With the draft about a month-and-a-half away, CBS Sports writer Cameron Salerno offered up his latest mock of the NBA's premier summer event.
PG Walter Clayton Jr.
Projected Pick : No. 21
: No. 21 Projected Team: Utah Jazz (via Minnesota Timberwolves)
"Clayton's legendary March Madness run jumped him into the first round for good," Salerno begins.
"Clayton was one of the best shotmakers in college basketball and is fearless. Pairing Flagg with a veteran guard from the college ranks would be viewed as a home run draft for Utah. While Clayton is projected to go at No. 21 here, it wouldn't surprise me if he worked his way into the lottery on draft night."
C Alex Condon
Projected Pick : No. 28
: No. 28 Projected Team: Boston Celtics
"Speaking of stay-or-go decisions, Condon is another player with one to make. The Florida star played a key role on Todd Golden's national title team and could improve his stock even further by running it back," Salerno states.
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