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Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. continues to raise his national profile, but his placement at No. 29 in Bleacher Report's latest 2025 NBA mock draft raises eyebrows.
Despite helping the Gators capture a national championship and emerging as one of the most consistent scoring guards in college basketball, Clayton is currently projected as a late first-round pick to the Phoenix Suns.
The ranking feels low for a player with his production, experience and proven ability to thrive in big moments.
While his 6-foot-3-inch frame and score-first style may not fit every system, it's hard to justify 28 players going ahead of him – especially with his track record in March. For a team like Phoenix, looking for backcourt depth and future shot creation, Clayton could be a steal.
The Florida basketball program, under head coach Todd Golden, is gaining a reputation for developing pro-ready guards – and Clayton is next in line.
Here is everything Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley wrote about Clayton.
"Pro Comparison: Payton Pritchard"
"Clayton is a fearless, uber-confident shot-maker who just carried his club to a national championship. The stakes and the spotlight clearly don't bother him, and when he really has it rolling, neither does the defensive pressure he faces.
"He won't be for everyone, since he's already 22 and functions mostly as a 6'3" scoring guard. But for a team with win-now intentions and a need for additional shot-making—a description that likely fits the Suns regardless what they do with Kevin Durant this summer—his production and skill could trump those concerns."
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: Walter Clayton Jr. at No. 29 in NBA mock draft despite strong season
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Despite helping the Gators capture a national championship and emerging as one of the most consistent scoring guards in college basketball, Clayton is currently projected as a late first-round pick to the Phoenix Suns.
The ranking feels low for a player with his production, experience and proven ability to thrive in big moments.
While his 6-foot-3-inch frame and score-first style may not fit every system, it's hard to justify 28 players going ahead of him – especially with his track record in March. For a team like Phoenix, looking for backcourt depth and future shot creation, Clayton could be a steal.
The Florida basketball program, under head coach Todd Golden, is gaining a reputation for developing pro-ready guards – and Clayton is next in line.
Here is everything Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley wrote about Clayton.
What Bleacher Report said about Clayton
29. Phoenix Suns (via CLE): Walter Clayton Jr., PG/SG, Florida
"Pro Comparison: Payton Pritchard"
"Clayton is a fearless, uber-confident shot-maker who just carried his club to a national championship. The stakes and the spotlight clearly don't bother him, and when he really has it rolling, neither does the defensive pressure he faces.
"He won't be for everyone, since he's already 22 and functions mostly as a 6'3" scoring guard. But for a team with win-now intentions and a need for additional shot-making—a description that likely fits the Suns regardless what they do with Kevin Durant this summer—his production and skill could trump those concerns."
Bleacher Report's NBA mock draft top 10
- Charlotte Hornets: Cooper Flagg, PF, Duke Blue Devils
- Philadelphia 76ers: Dylan Harper, PG/SG, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
- Washington Wizards: Ace Bailey, SF, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
- New Orleans Pelicans: VJ Edgecombe, SG/SF, Baylor Bears
- Utah Jazz: Jeremiah Fears, PG/SG, Oklahoma Sooners
- Brooklyn Nets: Tre Johnson, SG, Texas Longhorns
- Toronto Raptors: Kon Knueppel, SG/SF, Duke Blue Devils
- San Antonio Spurs: Jace Richardson, SG, Michigan State Spartans
- Milwaukee Bucks (from PHO via HOU): Derik Queen, C, Maryland Terrapins
- Portland Trail Blazers: Carter Bryant, SF, Arizona Wildcats
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: Walter Clayton Jr. at No. 29 in NBA mock draft despite strong season
Continue reading...
