Walter Clayton Jr. won the college level and is ready to take the next step while preparing for the NBA draft.
The NBA Draft is set for June 25th, with orders being decided earlier this week, with the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs shockingly rising to the top two picks. The Mavericks are expected to draft Cooper Flags, and the Spurs could add Dylan Harper, but there will be talent up and down the team’s draft in the first round.
Florida standout Walter Clayton Jr. led the Gators to the national championship and was named the best player in the tournament, but is not even expected to become a lottery pick, showing the talent of his class.
Still, Clayton Jr. and other slow round selections could become good NBA players if they find a footing, and the champions received high praise.
In his final college season, Clayton Jr. averaged 18.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals before winning the national title. He shoots well, is clearly calm and is one of the most sophisticated prospects in the draft class.
At 22, he is not as young as the top prospects, but he exists as a “winner of the moment” player who can’t keep him from moving away from his biggest moments.
“Obviously he’s kind of a beloved NCAA Tournament and he deserved to put us on our backs from time to time and finish the game for us and get the best players,” Florida coach Todd Golden said.
“I think he’s just an amazing basketball player. He’s a guy who can just hoop and make shots with the best. You know. I’m obviously biased, like I’m seeing success with guys like Payton Pritchard that he has, but I think he’s a little more dynamic.”
Clayton Jr. managed to play both guard spots like Pritchard, potentially becoming the best bench player on a good team, bringing him a winning experience as a rookie.
“I think he’s incredibly incredible to basketball. Basketball is a guy who was mostly considered two guards throughout his career. We played him last season. He did an incredible job running our team.”
Clayton Jr. is expected to be selected between the 15th and 25th, but the team was able to reach for him in the late lottery.
Clayton Jr. scored 38.6% from his final college season’s three-point range and boasts a quick release as both a catch-and-shoot threat and a dribble.
He has season-worthy experience as a primary ball handler and is able to run a second unit. Alternatively, you can slot it along with the starter to provide more versatility than most later picks.
He is also a perfect outlook, and its development is already nearing its end. His defense and interior scores are not the best, so don’t expect him to be the perfect player. So he is not expected to be drafted into the lottery.
The Atlanta Hawks look like a solid landing spot, just like Orlando’s magic, where you can always use more shooting when you try to build around the younger of the Tray.