Overview
- Walter Clayton Jr. led the Florida Gators to their first national championship game appearance since 2007 with a standout NCAA tournament performance.
- He became the first player since Carmelo Anthony in 2003 to score 30 points in a Final Four game, with a 34-point effort against Auburn.
- Clayton's back-to-back 30+ point games in the Elite Eight and Final Four mirror a feat last achieved by Larry Bird in 1979.
- NBA analysts, including Jay Williams, now project Clayton as a potential top-three draft pick, citing his elite shooting and playmaking abilities.
- Coach Rick Pitino has likened Clayton's playing style and scoring range to Steph Curry, emphasizing his readiness for the NBA.