Where Florida basketball's guard trio land on ESPN big board
Where Florida basketball's guard trio land on ESPN big board
Florida's backcourt was arguably the best in college basketball during the 2024-25 season, so it's no surprise to see Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin and Will Richard land inside the top 80 on ESPN's 2025 NBA draft big board.
Draft experts often use big boards to rank the top 100 (or more) overall prospects, regardless of the team making the pick or the player's fit. It puts the politics of the draft to the side for a moment and allows fans to see who the most talented players are.
While none of the three landed inside the top 25 — there are 30 picks in each round — Clayon is still a projected first-rounder, landing at No. 27 overall. The college basketball world fell in love with Clayton's clutch factor and sweet stroke from beyond the arc during March Madness, and the same likely goes for a couple of decision-makers inside NBA front offices.
Even if Clayton doesn't get selected in the first round, it's hard to see him falling lower than either of the other two Gators on this list.
Next on the list is Martin at No. 61, two spots ahead of Alabama guard Mark Sears. It's a big drop from the 20s where Clayton is, and if the draft were to select these players in order, Martin would be left out. Still, he has a chance to sneak into the second round thanks to his tenacious defense and leadership qualities.
Finally, Richard sits at No. 77 on the big board. He could very well sneak into the second round, but more likely will sign as an undrafted free agent, similar to Zyon Pullin last year. Richard improved his driving ability, defense and found his shooting touch from deep late in the year. He's an intriguing prospect with a lot of upside.
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