Walter Clayton Jr. has been one of the standouts during the March Madness tournament in 2025. The University of Florida point guard has played a pivotal role in their run to the Final Four, and he’s played well enough that he just might make it into the NBA next season, though that remains to be seen.
As Clayton has earned himself quite a bit of the spotlight in recent weeks, his family—specifically, his parents—has received more attention. Here’s what’s to know about the parents of the standout Florida guard.
Who is Walter Clayton Jr’s Father?
Unsurprisingly, Walter Clayton Jr.’s father is named Walter Clayton Sr. Like his son, Clayton’s father was also an athlete who excelled at playing basketball. In fact, the two of them used to compete against each other growing up, which made for quite the spectacle.
“They had a community court in their neighborhood,” Clayton Jr.’s mother told The Orlando Sentinel’s Edgar Thompson. “His dad would go in on him down there. People would come and sit and watch them go head to head with each other.”
According to Times Now, Clayton Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps when he excelled at football growing up. However, over time, he was urged to focus more on basketball, which led to his becoming the player he is for the Gators.
Who is Walter Clayton Jr.’s Mother?
Clayton Jr’s mother is Cherie Quarg, who excelled at softball and basketball, so it’s clear Clayton Jr. came from a family of athletes. It comes as no surprise that their son became the athlete he did.
Not much else is known about Quarg—or Clayton Sr., for that matter. However, Quarg revealed that she never had to push Clayton Jr. when he played sports growing up.
“I never had to tell Walter, ‘Hey, you got practice. We got to go.’ It was him telling me,” she told Thompson. “It’s just seven days a week with him — no days off — and it always has been. It’s just so good to know that your kid has really put their heart and soul into going after something.
“Now look at him.”
It’s clear that Clayton Jr. got to where he was because of the environment he grew up in.
Clayton Jr. has reached heights that neither of his parents had. At the same time, he may not have gotten to where he is without their influence.