The NBA Draft Lottery is done and dusted, and now it’s time for the Draft Combine. All eyes are on Cooper Flagg, who’s expected to join the Dallas Mavericks, but there’s another name worth watching — and that’s Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr.
Clayton might not have the same hype, but he turned heads at the NBA Combine. He showed off a clean stroke from deep and proved he’s more than just a sleeper.
Walter Clayton Jr. Sets the Stage on Fire With Brilliant 3-Point Shooting
Clayton, who helped the Gators win a national title this season, looked NBA-ready in Chicago. He averaged 18.3 points and shot 38.6% from 3 in his second season with Florida. And during the Combine, he caught fire.
Clayton hit 21 of 25 3-pointers in his shooting round. He went 9-for-10 in one stretch, including a perfect 5-for-5 from the corner. His form looked smooth, with good rhythm on the release and strong balance.
The top of the arc? No problem. Deep corners? Money. Clayton showed from all angles that he can be a reliable shooter at the next level.
Walter Clayton shot 21/25 from 3 at the NBA combine 👀 pic.twitter.com/TeWT7Vlj7W
— Florida Gators 🐊🔥 (@gatorsszn)
With outside shooting now a must-have skill in the NBA, Clayton’s performance helped his draft stock. Several mock drafts project him as the No. 25 pick. That’s the exact spot the Orlando Magic — who could certainly use a shooter — hold.
Clayton’s Gradual Journey to the Top
Clayton spent four full seasons in college, having spent his first two years with Iona. In the Gators’ title win over Houston, he had 11 points, five rebounds, and seven assists. He shot just 14.3% from deep that night, but his defense and hustle helped seal the win.
Clayton has flaws, but he’s a smart player with experience. The latest big board has him going around pick 19, so if the Magic do want him, they may need to use their first first-round pick (No. 16 overall) to get him.
It’s worth noting, though, that in PFSN’s latest NBA mock draft following the shocking lottery results, that Clayton falls out of Round 1 completely. Thus, it’s safe to say that his draft stock remains all over the place at the moment.
Clayton thrives in catch-and-shoot situations, gets out in transition, and creates fast-break chances. That said, his turnover rate (2.4 per game) is high, and he may have trouble defending bigger guards. At 6’2″, he lacks ideal size for a shooting guard. He also struggles with consistency and can get caught making mistakes.
Still, with four college seasons under his belt, Clayton looks NBA-ready. If the Magic want another shooter to go with Paolo Banchero and company, Clayton could be their guy.
