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USA Today
4 hours ago
- Business
- USA Today
Where will Florida's star guard Walter Clayton Jr. be selected in 2025 NBA draft?
Where will Florida's star guard Walter Clayton Jr. be selected in 2025 NBA draft? The 2025 NBA draft is merely weeks away, and now that the deadline for those who want to return to college has passed, the outlook for this summer's selection process is ostensibly crystal clear. For the Gator Nation, it has been a tense few weeks leading up to that deadline as star sophomore forward Alex Condon, along with center Rueben Chinyelu, explored their options in the upcoming draft. Fortunately for Florida, they both decided to return to Gainesville, teaming up to give the Gators a run at a possible two-peat. However, one former member of the Orange and Blue is locked into the NBA draft after a prolific senior campaign that carried Todd Golden's team to the promised land. That player is point guard Walter Clayton Jr., who is projected nearly unanimously to be taken in the first round later this month. Where will Walter Clayton be picked? Sports Illustrated's Kevin Sweeney recently updated his 2025 NBA mock draft following the NCAA deadline, projecting Clayton to be selected by the Phoenix Suns with the penultimate pick of the first round at No. 29. "Plug-and-play rotation pieces on controllable contracts are like gold to the Suns, so getting Clayton at No. 29 would be huge. The Final Four's Most Outstanding Player is among this draft's best shotmakers." Walter Clayton's senior year stats The graduating senior out of Bartow, Florida, averaged 18.3 points, 4.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game during the 2024-25 campaign. He earned First-Team All-SEC and All-American honors while being anointed Most Outstanding Player in the 2025 Final Four for his title-winning heroics. 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.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. listed as a lottery pick in one mock draft
Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. listed as a lottery pick in one mock draft Walter Clayton Jr. established himself as a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA draft, and the Florida guard is even projected to go as early as the lottery in one mock draft. Clayton led the Gators to their third national championship, averaging 18.3 points, 4.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals on 38.6% shooting from 3-point range. He ranked eighth in the country in scoring, setting the single-season program record with 713 total points. The 22-year-old was considered one of the top point guards in the country, thanks to his scoring, shooting and ability to lead different offenses. He was listed 13th in the latest mock draft by Adam Finkelstein of CBS Sports, as a result. This year's Mr. March Madness played his way into lottery consideration, not because he led Florida to a national championship, but because he showed different elements of his game and a higher upside while doing it. He's an extreme shot-maker and good scorer with on/off ball versatility and defensive potential, if not yet a consistent approach. Clayton became the first player in program history to be named a consensus first-team All-American selection. He also claimed the Final Four Most Outstanding Player award after registering two 30-point outings in the NCAA Tournament. The 6-foot-3 standout had a strong showing in the draft combine earlier this month, shooting 17-of-25 in the 3-point star drill and 16-of-27 in the corner. He also measured in with an 8-foot, 1 1/2-inch standing reach and a 6-foot, 4-inch wingspan. Clayton will have the chance to affirm his standing in team workouts and interviews, with less than four weeks to go until the draft. He will likely begin ramping up his visits soon. The draft will take place on June 25-26 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Should the Boston Celtics consider drafting Florida guard Walter Clayton?
Should the Boston Celtics consider drafting Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. if he falls to them in the 2025 NBA draft? The champion Gator 3-point marksman has been compared to players as good as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, and prospects as rough as former Boston guard alum Carsen Edwards. His shooting from beyond the arc is undeniably intriguing for a team coached by the likes of Joe Mazzulla, but he has some notable warts to his game as well, especially on the defensive end of the court. Would it make sense for the Celtics to burn their No. 28 or 32 picks in the first or second round respectively on the Sebring, Florida native? Advertisement The hosts of the CLNS Media "How Bout Them Celtics!" podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, took some time on a recent episode of their show to talk it over. Check it out below! If you enjoy this pod, check out the "How Bout Them Celtics," "First to the Floor," and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network: This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Should the Celtics consider drafting Florida guard Walter Clayton?
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Should the Boston Celtics consider drafting Florida guard Walter Clayton?
Should the Boston Celtics consider drafting Florida guard Walter Clayton? Should the Boston Celtics consider drafting Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. if he falls to them in the 2025 NBA draft? The champion Gator 3-point marksman has been compared to players as good as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, and prospects as rough as former Boston guard alum Carsen Edwards. His shooting from beyond the arc is undeniably intriguing for a team coached by the likes of Joe Mazzulla, but he has some notable warts to his game as well, especially on the defensive end of the court. Would it make sense for the Celtics to burn their No. 28 or 32 picks in the first or second round respectively on the Sebring, Florida native? The hosts of the CLNS Media "How Bout Them Celtics!" podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, took some time on a recent episode of their show to talk it over. Check it out below! If you enjoy this pod, check out the "How Bout Them Celtics," "First to the Floor," and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network:
USA Today
16-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Where Florida's former point guard Walter Clayton Jr. lands in latest NBA mock draft
Where Florida's former point guard Walter Clayton Jr. lands in latest NBA mock draft Walter Clayton Jr. was one of the most prolific players in men's college basketball this past season, and his efforts powered the Florida Gators to their third-ever national title on the collegiate parquet. The Orange and Blue finished with a 36-4 overall record, earning both a Southeastern Conference and NCAA Tournament title in one of the best seasons ever witnessed inside the O'Connell Center. As a result, several players are being eyed by the professional ranks ahead of the 2025 NBA draft next month. Among them is Clayton, who CBS Sports writer Cameron Salerno believes will be a first-round pick in late June, according to his latest mock draft. He has the 6-foot-3-inch, 195-pound guard as the No. 21 pick overall by the Utah Jazz. What CBS Sports says about Walter Clayton Jr.'s draft stock "This is my third mock draft this draft cycle, and I've had Clayton going at this spot in every one of them," Salerno begins. "Clayton could go higher, but this spot seems like a good floor on draft night. Clayton is a fearless shotmaker. I had the chance to watch him up close during Florida's national title run. He's going to have a very successful NBA career." Walter Clayton's rankings and stats PROSPECT RANK : 17th : 17th POSITION RANK (PG): 5th The graduating senior out of Bartow, Florida, averaged 18.3 points, 4.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game during the 2024-25 campaign. He earned First-Team All-SEC and All-American honors while being anointed Most Outstanding Player in the 2025 Final Four for his title-winning heroics. 2025 NBA draft information The first round of the 2025 NBA draft will take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn starting on Wednesday, June 25, with the second round landing on the following day; the start time for both is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. The draft will be broadcast live on ABC and ESPN. 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.
