Walter Clayton Jr.This is the star of the 2025 NCAA champion Florida Gator, who is bringing his caramel stock to the upcoming draft. Currently, Clayton is predicted to be in our comprehensive simulation draft as first-round first-round picks enter the combine.
Clayton originally had Rick Pitinothen transfer to junior and seniors in Florida, where he performed well. He announced his draft last season but admitted that returning to school was one of the best decisions of his life.
The four most outstanding players in the 2025 finals recently talked to Hoopshype about the draft process, his mentality, the magical run with Florida this season, and more.
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Walter Clayton Jr: I was absolutely ready to go out in LA and sign with Krache, so we were getting ready every day at the gym and I and a bunch of other people for the coming of the combine.
bathroom: I mean, it has been my dream since I was a kid. I look forward to what I hope to achieve in my life and I think it's just that Iona has helped me gain a lot of experience. I’m grateful for my journey and being able to return to Florida to play for the Gators. So just thank you for the whole journey.
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bathroom: Very good. I have a lot of coaches who have given me different things and these coaches have given me different things in my life. The two years with Coach P were about mental resilience, so every day I went to the gym with him and heard him, I had to get in with a hard time.
bathroom: Yes, his whole thing is just a daily habit. You have to make sure you get 1% of the benefits per day. He does personal exercise in the gym every day. In this approach, just show up and give it all.
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bathroom: As far as work wise is concerned, I won't say anything changes. I have an amazing high school coach and it's a great high school course. We won two state titles, and there is a lot of history there. But whenever I go to college, I get used to the speed of the game, like that freshman jump.
bathroom: Yes, for sure. I mean, these thoughts always come to your mind, but I just want to walk anywhere with my feet and show up now. So, in that Iona era, I was worried about the next practice, the next game, the next workout.
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bathroom: No, never. I ended up playing high school football for two years. I was kind of forced by everyone around me. Where did I come from when I grow up, you have to play two sports. So whenever I went to high school, I tried to stop and stick to basketball strictly, but ended up playing for two years. Then finally made a personal decision to transfer it to a good basketball plan and give them all.
bathroom: Of course, I definitely think I am mature in Florida. Obviously, this year is one year older. With my company, I played under the leadership of Coach Golden for a year. Honestly, this year was great. We have good people on the floor. We spent a lot of time together. It's a great feeling whenever you walk into the gym and you'll see one of the teammates working out there. So it just meets each other in the gym every day. We trust each other in the game, and we can prove it in big moments.
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bathroom: Yes, for sure. I think my personal moment, I think many of my teammates agree to be a North Carolina game. I love how people deal with adversity. So we started that game at halftime and they finally came back. For North Carolina, it's a bit like a neutral away game. They eventually closed the gap. They are four years old and I think there are three minutes left. We all went back to shriveling, and no one yelled at each other. It seems like we are already 20 years old, do you know what I am talking about? So we just talk to each other calmly and stick together. I think that moment, that was when I realized we could do something special.
bathroom: Yes, I think in SEC, I can be more adaptable to the body in just one year. I think it was gone in the first year, weighing a few pounds, and this year is good. Just driving me throughout the game, just a better leader growing all year round. So I definitely think my game matures in many ways. Despite this, I still have a way to mature.
bathroom: Personally, I'll let others compare. Personally, I don't. I kind of said that. I like to pull some pieces out of different men's games, but I just want to be me.
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WC: Donovan Mitchell It's one of them, just his full game. He entered there, never too deep. So he has all the different steps on this. Apparently like [Stephen] curryjust their footwork. Klay Thompsonpushing out from the ball screen, or even pulling up the dribble. Just looking at other people Jrue Holidaystry to take their game apart and see how I improve on the defensive end.
bathroom: I got a few from a few guys, obviously all the crocodile. certainly, Bradley Beal,,,,, Joakim Noahand then it's really Taurus greenone of our assistant coaches this year. He is a back-to-back national champion. So it's great for me to just have him in my corner over the last few years.
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bathroom: I think I'm just trying to tighten everything, just being more consistent with everything. So it's obvious that you have to make sure the jumper is still going forward, you're working on this heavy, just getting better throughout the pre-entry process, keeping my legs under me. And everything – defense – we are working hard.
bathroom: I just want to be everything that helps the team win, whether it's a microwave scorer on the bench or any role they want me to join, I want to help the team win.
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bathroom: I personally have a hard time talking about myself, but I just feel that I have a good pace. Just get to know those that are good touch points, quick hands, able to generate steals and opportunities for quick rest.
bathroom: To be sure, shooting is definitely one of the biggest things in the NBA, like you said. Therefore, shooting basketball is definitely one of the things to move to the top.
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bathroom: Me personally? I don't pay attention to them at all. Everyone has their own opinions. Decision makers, whenever draft day comes, they make decisions, so I don’t pay attention to them at all.
bathroom: Yes, for sure, my high school coach, man, he just taught me and was just there. Whenever I say something about the future, I once mentioned this crazy coach who will win the state championship this year. He's like, hey man, we have practice tomorrow. So, right now, do you know what I'm talking about? If you look too far, it may distract you from the current moment.
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bathroom: Yes, of course, man. Ultimately, the only important point throughout the game is the people who live in our plans. That was the only voice that mattered, and that was the way we kept the team and the way we were able to stay so nervous and get it running.
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bathroom: It's definitely my mom. Obviously, it was a long journey for me and her. She was there every day and made sure I had everything I needed when I was young. So I'll say my mom.
bathroom: Yes, the biggest thing my mom has is to let me be honest and let me do everything I want as long as it is on the right path. She won't let me go wrong. Yes, man, my mom, she just let me grow myself. She never forces me. She asked me to do what I wanted, just pursue my goals.
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bathroom: LeBron. Man, he influences the way the game is. No matter who you need to score, he will affect the game at all levels. You're worried that he scores and drives to the basket and you have to help you. This is creating opportunities for Sagittarius. Then people say he's not a great defender, man. He is a good defender and I won't lie. So, I think LeBron is just a goat in all aspects of the game he influenced.
bathroom: I mean, obviously, he is not my goat, but MJ. Obviously, I like watching MJ. It's just his touch at the middle distance, his jumping at the middle distance. I love the growth that Bradley Beal grew up watching his game while he was with the wizard. Apparently, Kyrie edited, just looking at all these guys.
