The 2025 NBA draft opens up on Wednesday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, with the first round of selections. Among the first 30 selections of this year’s event is Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr., who represents the lone member of the Orange and Blue to be taken on the opening night.
USA TODAY Sports’ writing trio of Jeff Zillgitt, Lorenzo Reyes and James H. Williams put together their final predictions for the draft, placing Clayton with the Brooklyn Nets with the No. 27 pick. Here is what they had to offer of the former Gator’s outlook.
“Named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, Clayton had 34 points in the national semifinals against Auburn and 11 points, seven assists and five rebounds in the championship victory against Houston. He also scored 30 points in a regional final against Texas Tech and was 21-for-42 from the field in the Gators’ final three games. Has range on 3-point shots and can shoot off the dribble or pass but needs to improve as a playmaker and defender.”
The 6-foot-2-inch, 199-pound senior guard amassed 18.3 points, 4.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game last season, while posting a 44.8% mark from the floor overall, 38.6% from beyond the arc and 85.7% from the charity stripe.
USA TODAY Sports final 2025 NBA mock draft
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Here’s where Walter Clayton Jr. lands in USA TODAY Sports’ final 2025 NBA mock draft
Reporting by Adam Dubbin, Gators Wire / Gators Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
