Walter Clayton Jr.'s Two-Word Reaction to Wednesday's Big College Basketball Announcement
Walter Clayton Jr.'s Two-Word Reaction to Wednesday's Big College Basketball Announcement originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Florida Gators wouldn't have won their first national title since 2007 without star Walter Clayton Jr.
Advertisement
The 6-foot-3 guard from Lake Wales, Florida, was named first-team All-SEC, a consensus first-team All-American, and the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player this past season. He averaged 18.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game.
But now, Clayton Jr. is off to the NBA after playing two seasons under Rick Pitino at Iona and two more under Todd Golden at Florida. While he continues preparing for the 2025 NBA Draft on June 25, the Gators are finalizing their schedule for next season.
On Wednesday, March Madness announced in a joint post with the Florida Gators and UConn Huskies that the two teams will meet in the Jimmy V Classic on Dec. 9 at Madison Square Garden.
"BOX OFFICE SHOWDOWN IN MSG 🍿," March Madness captioned its post. "@gatorsmbk and @uconnmbb will go head-to-head in the Jimmy V Classic 🔥."
Clayton Jr. was one of many to see the post and left a two-word message in the comment section:
Advertisement
"Go Gators."
Walter Clayton Jr.'s comment on March Madness' post.@marchmadnessmbb/Instagram
Florida and UConn have faced each other three times since Huskies head coach Dan Hurley took over in Storrs. The most recent meeting came in the Round of 32 of last season's NCAA Tournament, where the Gators pulled out a 77-75 win to end UConn's 13-game NCAA Tournament winning streak.
The other two matchups took place on Nov. 17, 2019, in Storrs and Dec. 7, 2022, in Gainesville, with UConn winning both.
Related: Florida Reveals Availability Plan For 7-Foot-9 College Basketball Player
Related: Florida Star Sends Parting Message After National Championship Run
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Broncos' Sean Payton Speaks Out On JK Dobbins' Team Visit
Broncos' Sean Payton Speaks Out On JK Dobbins' Team Visit originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Despite using their second round pick to select UCF running back, RJ Harvey, there is still a feeling that the Denver Broncos' RB room could use some reinforcements. Advertisement Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime and Tyler Badie are all nice complementary, auxiliary pieces, but none feel like they can be part of a hard-hitting, one-two punch with Harvey. So it makes sense that the team planned a visit with free agent, and ex Charger and Raven, JK Dobbins on Thursday. And head coach, Sean Payton, had some complementary words to say about the former AFC West rival, per Mike Klis. 'Another good football player that we've seen firsthand." Payton said to the media on Thursday, "I've seen for a while the importance of that position group. We really like the group right now we're working with, it's just another opportunity to possibly bring in another good football player to help us win.' JK Dobbins, Baltimore RavensPaul Rutherford-Imagn Image Dobbins is not necessarily an earth-shatteringly big name, but he is certainly an excellent back who would undoubtedly be on a roster right now as the RB1 - or high end 2 - if it were not for consistent injuries that have threaten to derail his otherwise potential-filled career. Advertisement Even though the former second round pick missed four games in 2024, he still managed 905 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns, with an additional 153 receiving yards off of 32 receptions. Of the backs still left unsigned in the NFL, Dobbins has arguably the best case for being a true, quality starting back in the league - and could be an excellent mentor and teammate for Harvey over the next season or two. That is, if he does end up signing with the Broncos. Related: Broncos' Talanoa Hufanga Breaks Silence on Playing Alongside Patrick Surtain II This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
24 minutes ago
- USA Today
Florida baseball earns two transfer commitments
Florida baseball earns two transfer commitments Super Regionals haven't even been played and the transfer portal is already running wild in college baseball. The Florida Gators added a pair of commitments from the portal on Thursday, kicking off what should be a busy cycle for the Orange and Blue. Notre Dame right-hander Ricky Reeth and Wabash Valley (JUCO) catcher AJ Malzone are the newest Gators. Florida has also already lost players from its 2025 roster. Left-handed reliever Jacob Gomberg was the first of likely several departures from a squad that came up short in many ways. Let's take a closer look at both new players and what their roles might be with the team. Notre Dame RHP Ricky Reeth A Windermere, Florida native who played high school ball at West Orange, 6-foot-4, 190-pound Ricky Reeth has provided Notre Dame with three years of solid relief work out. Reeth's numbers have improved each year. His ERA dropped from 6.46 over 15.1 innings in 2023 to a 5.21 over 48.1 innings a season ago. He followed that up with a 4.31 this season, and the K rate has climbed above 21% while keeping the walk rate at 6%. He has a fastball that can sit anywhere from 89-93 mph and top out at 94. His main secondary pitch is a low-80s sweeping slider, and he also uses a high-70s changeup. Florida struggled to figure out the hierarchy of its bullpen this year, going with a closer-by-committee at one point. Reeth might not be the closer for Florida next year, but he's a stable, veteran presence in the bullpen, assuming Jake Clemente leaves for the draft. Reeth could also be a vital piece of recruiting fellow Notre Dame transfer and battery mate Carson Tinney. Wabash Valley College (JUCO) C AJ Malzone One of the primary objectives Florida has in this transfer cycle is to replenish the catchers' room. Brody Donay and Luke Heyman can and likely will leave for the MLB draft, and Florida has JUCO transfer Cole Bullen and rising redshirt freshman Brock Clayton left behind the dish. Bullen might be gone too after four years of college ball, but the point stands that Florida needs catchers. Enter AJ Malzone out of Wabash Valley (Illinois), who batted .347 with 10 home runs and 58 RBI last season en route to an all-conference and all-region nod. Malzone flashed some speed with 13 stolen bases and walked (36) more than he struck out (35). Transfer Season Just Getting Started These early additions are important to help fill out Florida's roster, but the Gators are looking to fill several key spots that neither Malzone nor Reeth addresses. Bobby Boser and Colby Shelton are both likely to depart, opening the door for a left-side infielder to join the roster. Brendan Lawson could move to one of those positions, especially if Donay drops catching and sticks at first base. Still, the Gators are in the market for a starting shortstop or third baseman — Dayton freshman Rylan Lujo is a potential add up that alley. With Clemente and Coppola also in the draft mix, Florida needs left-handed arms and a Sunday starter. Reeth is good right-handed bullpen depth, but he's not going five innings every weekend in the SEC. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Shaq Makes Strong Jayson Tatum Statement During Hall of Fame Conversation
Shaq Makes Strong Jayson Tatum Statement During Hall of Fame Conversation originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Shaquille O'Neal is a big man with big opinions. Affectionately known as "Shaq", the Hall of Famer has continued an impressive run of success in his post-playing career. Advertisement While becoming an integral part and staple of "Inside the NBA" on TNT, O'Neal has also carved out time to co-host multiple podcasts since retiring from the NBA. It's on this platform, where O'Neal's unfiltered opinions can roam freely. The four-time NBA champion, and one-time NBA MVP, was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. After calling it quits in 2011 after an incredible 19-year-career, O'Neal feels qualified to give his opinion on current players who deserve to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. During an episode of "The Big Podcast" this week, alongside Adam Lefkoe, O'Neal made a strong statement when Lefkoe suggested Jayson Tatum's NBA resume, through just eight seasons, should put him in the Hall of Fame. "He's a Hall of Famer? You motherf***ers are just throwing people (Jayson Tatum) in there now," O'Neal said. Advertisement Lefkoe ran down Tatum's list of accomplishments through his eight-year-career. Tatum has been named to three All-NBA First Teams, has been named an All-Star five times, and has won an Olympic gold medal. Tatum, who suffered a gruesome torn left Achilles tendon during the Eastern Conference semifinals, will likely miss a large portion of the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season. NBA analyst Shaquille O'Neal and Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum.© Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images | © John Jones-Imagn Images O'Neal went on to elaborate on the current NBA players, outside of LeBron James who is assured a spot, who deserve to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. "I would have to go (Stephen) Curry, he's got three or four rings. Giannis (Antetokounmpo), and Joker (Nikola Jokic)," O'Neal said. Advertisement Related: Shaq Drops Multiple Expletives on Live 'Inside the NBA' Broadcast Related: Shaq Slams Zion Williamson's Career-Best Performance During Pelicans-Clippers This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
