Florida senior Walter Clayton Jr. has boosted his NBA draft stock with an outstanding run in the NCAA Tournament, Adam Zagoria writes for NJ.com. In five tournament games (33.4 minutes per contest), the 6’3″ guard is averaging 24.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists on .500/.487/.905 shooting.
Clayton was ranked No. 63 on ESPN’s big board a couple of weeks ago, but most NBA executives and scouts who spoke to Zagoria believe the 22-year-old will be selected somewhere in the range of mid-first round to early second.
“He has helped himself more with his draft stock than any other player in the tournament,” one executive told Zagoria. “He is going in the first round.”
In 38 games in 2024/25, Clayton has averaged 18.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.1 APG and 1.2 SPG on .451/.392/.871 shooting (32.5 MPG). The Gators will face the Houston Cougars on Monday in the final of this year’s tournament.
Here are a few more notes related to June’s draft:
- Projected No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg showed last summer in a scrimmage with the Select Team against Team USA ahead of the Olympics that he could more than hold his own against the best players in the world, and his all-around game should help him have a smooth transition to the NBA, per Mark Medina of RG.org. “He looked like a hell of a player, somebody that is only going to get better with more experience,” Kevin Durant said at the time. “He’s 17 years old, coming in and playing like he’s almost a vet. No emotion. He’s just out there doing his job. That’s a good sign.” Flagg’s season with Duke came to an end on Saturday, as the Blue Devils blew a late lead against Houston in the Final Four. Flagg finished with 27 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals and three blocks.
- Texas Tech junior Darrion Williams intends to declare for the 2025 draft while maintaining his college eligibility, agent Aman Dhesi tells Jonathan Givony of ESPN (Twitter links). Williams, who was ranked No. 45 on ESPN’s board, will also enter the transfer portal, according to Givony, who says the combo forward should draw “significant” interest in the late first or early second round after helping guide the Red Raiders to the Elite Eight.
- Australian forward/center Lachlan Olbrich, who recently helped the Illawara Hawks win an NBL championship, has officially entered his name in the draft, the league announced in a press release. The 21-year-old averaged 8.7 PPG, 3.8 RPG and 1.6 APG in 29 games this season for the Hawks (16.7 MPG). Olbrich is ranked No. 92 on ESPN’s board.
Coop is to Bird
as
Bron is to Magic
Darrion Williams= slightly bigger Trevon Bluiett
Walter Clayton Jr= (Shamet+Redick+Patty Mills)/3
link to m.youtube.com
“No emotion” is a good sign? That is troubling to hear…they said the same thing about Ed Gein…
Wasn’t expecting an Ed Gein reference today. Hats off to you!
Flagg has the skills to be a great player in nba. It was great to see him live up to the expectations as the #1 HS player at Duke.
Clayton Jr is having a nice run. Not a PG and small for a SG. Has worked his way up, for sure. Houston has good defenders. Let’s see what he does against them.
Cooper is a lock at #1. He is a high IQ player. With excellent size at the 3. Today can also play the 4. He is a solid rebounder. He has it all. Looks like he has the right attitude commitment too. Whoever gets him is a lucky team. Can’t believe Nets didn’t try for him. Considering worst three teams. Suxxx he will have to go there. Keep him away from Zion. Please not Utah. Charlotte is a big basketball town. Yet their NBA team has never been good. I guess it’s best there. Like going back to Duke …… almost.
Clayton is definitely a point guard
Clayton is 150% a PG. Kid has handles. Reminds me of Jamal Murray and even Curry. Curry was questioned coming out of college if he was good enough to be a PG in the NBA. My son has played against Clayton at UF and is amazed at how good and calm his demeanor is on the court. Ice.
Looking forward to seeing him rise to the occasion once again. UF has done this all year (start well, stall and fall behind, then hit the gas in the second half) and he’s a big part of it. I’m going to enjoy being at this game tomorrow night.
Why would he have a handle on his body? Is that some type of new thing that kids do is have a handle attached to their stomach
I don’t see a handle. It’s not bad. Not a real handle. Doesn’t run the offense. Looks to score not a playmaker. He has a shot and nerve. So did Kerr till he got to the pros. Not a big time athlete. He won’t do what he does now at next level. Its good he has gotten better. Top of second round at best.
He’s a career 3 ast guy. 4 yr college player. Not a PG.