The Florida Gators are riding high after knocking off two-time defending champion UConn and ending the Huskies’ quest for a three-peat. Florida pulled off the 77-75 upset in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Leading the way for Florida is senior guard Walter Clayton Jr., who delivered some late-game heroics. Clayton scored 13 of the Gators’ final 25 points, including a clutch three-pointer that stretched the lead to six with just over a minute to play.
Clayton has become one of the standout performers of this year’s March Madness. He’s the first Florida player since 1987 to open the tournament with back-to-back 20-point games. With the Gators heading to their first Sweet 16 since 2017 and looking ready for a deep run, it’s time to get to know the player leading the charge.
Who Is Walter Clayton Jr.?
Clayton was heavily recruited in high school — but not just for basketball. He was also a top football prospect before choosing to follow his heart and stick with basketball.
He started his college career at Iona University, averaging 7.3 points per game as a freshman. Clayton made a huge jump his sophomore season, posting 16.8 points per game and earning Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Player of the Year honors in 2023. After his breakout year, Clayton entered the NCAA transfer portal.
Walter Clayton Jr. WHAT. A. SHOT. 😳
Gators take a 6-point lead pic.twitter.com/pYxzkqj6gX
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 23, 2025
Faced with a big decision, Clayton had two main options: follow his former Iona head coach, Hall of Famer Rick Pitino, to St. John’s or return home to Florida. In the end, Clayton turned down Pitino and chose to join the Florida Gators.
That move paid off. Clayton averaged 17.6 points per game in his junior year with Florida. After the season, he tested the NBA Draft waters but ultimately decided to withdraw and return to Gainesville for his senior year.
It’s looking like the right call. Clayton is averaging 17.7 points per game this season and added another honor to his growing résumé — being named a first-team All-American by both the NABC and USBWA.
NABC & USBWA all-american 🔥 pic.twitter.com/0DpToWBIgO
— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) March 19, 2025
Clayton has the Gators rolling this March. After knocking out UConn — the last team to repeat as champions since, ironically, the Florida Gators did it in 2006 and 2007 — Clayton is locked in on bringing his school back to the national championship stage for the first time since that 2007 run.
Up next, Florida faces Maryland in the Sweet 16. Maryland advanced in dramatic fashion, knocking off Colorado State on a buzzer-beater from Derik Queen. It’s just another reminder that anything can happen in March.