The 2025 NBA draft is here, and Gator Nation is ready to see up to three Florida players drafted in this year’s amateur draft.
Walter Clayton Jr. appears to be locked into a first-round selection, with many linking him to the Miami Heat at pick No. 20. Anyone can slide on draft day, but the Gators point guard is poised to be the program’s first first-round selection since Tre Mann in 2021. Mann ended a near-decade-long drought for Florida after Bradley Beal went third overall in the 2012 draft.
Alijah Martin is also likely to be selected, but is a projected second-round pick, which takes place on Thursday. A scrappy defender who proved he could score consistently with Florida, Martin made his return to the Final Four and helped lead the Gators to a national championship. Richard might be on the wrong side of the bubble here, but he’s going to get a phone call or two shortly if the draft concludes and he’s still available.
Here’s what Florida Gators experts and fans are saying about Day 1 of the 2025 NBA draft. (LAST UPDATED: 10:35 p.m. ET)
Clayton is with his family before the draft
Fans really want him on their favorite team
Florida’s point guard is a media star
No apologies necessary
First round projections keep climbing
Clayton will ball anywhere he lands
10 picks in and Clayton is still on the board
What’s the holdup?
Almost that time
The first 10 picks
WHO got drafted?
Walter Clayton Jr. drafted 18th overall by Utah Jazz (via WASH)
He just might be
Sorry, Orlando Magic fans
…And Miami Heat fans
Steal of the draft?
SOLD!
National Champ off the board!
A new era
Stay tuned for more updates
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Gator Nation reacts to Day 1 of 2025 NBA draft
Reporting by David Rosenberg, Gators Wire / Gators Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
