Florida's NCAA Tournament X-Factor: Walter Clayton Jr.

The Gators are back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2020-21. Guard Walter Clayton Jr. could be the X-Factor that helps lead Florida on a deep March Madness run.

Photo: Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr.; Credit: Zach Goodall 

Florida is back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2020-21 season. Guard Walter Clayton Jr.'s play this season helped the Gators reach the Big Dance again, and he could be the key to helping UF make a Cinderella run in the tournament. 

The junior guard transferred to Florida from Iona last offseason, and he and fellow transfer Zyon Pullin have breathed new life into the Gators' backcourt ever since. 

Clayton was the 2023 MAAC Player of the Year under former head coach Rick Pitino before moving to Gainesville. 

It was easy to assume it would take some time for the guard to adjust the mid-major level to the SEC, but Clayton hit the ground running in his first year at Florida. 

Clayton led UF in scoring, averaging 17.1 points per game. He carved teams up offensively this season, scoring 20 or more points in 14 of his 35 outings. 

UF head coach Todd Golden knew the Gators were adding a player who would make a big impact before the season even started.

"Walter Clayton is a proven winner and someone who will immediately raise the bar within our program,” Golden said last April.

He's done just that by helping lead a Gators team that missed the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons back into the field as a No. 7 seed. The 24 wins UF racked up heading into the tournament is also the most since its 2016-17, which also won 24 games before the tournament.

Clayton has a knack for finding ways to score, showcasing his prowess at all three levels as a spot-up and off-the-dribble option. He’s only been held to single digits four times this season as a result. 

Clayton's efforts offensively helped him earn Second Team All-SEC honors in his first campaign with the Gators. 

It doesn't take long watching Clayton play to realize his skill set. He threatens teams from beyond the arc early and often. The Gators played with the 18th-fastest tempo in the nation, according to KenPom, and Clayton's ability to quickly pull up from deep helped UF's fast pace.

Clayton took 246 three-pointers this season, good for 36th-most in the nation. He shot an efficient 36.3% from deep, good for 74th among eligible NCAA Division-I athletes. 

Although Clayton took 54.3% of his field goal attempts from beyond the arc, he can also attack the basket with blazing speed. Half of his two-point attempts came at the rim, mostly through layups (60-for-105 at the rim). 

Clayton gets to his spots quickly, too. He took 199 shots (44% of his shot attempts) with 20 or more seconds left on the shot clock, per CBB Analytics. Whether it was attacking the rim on a fast break or popping a triple in transition, he shot 43.7% from the field when he took shots this early.

Golden hasn't been shy about discussing Clayton's impact, not only as a player but also as a person.

“Obviously, through the evaluation process, through the film you see a really talented player, a great three-level scorer, a guy that can really make plays with the ball in his hands, a great facilitator for his teammates, just a really efficient and effective guard," Golden said on Dec. 14 after UF defeated East Carolina.

"When you get to know him as a person, he’s a warrior, man. He’s the kind of guy that as a coach gives you confidence when you’re out on the floor when you have guys that, they believe, they trust, and they don’t get rattled." 

While it takes a full team effort to win a national title, having a guard who can provide instant offense is key to making a run. 

The last three national champions each had star guards who played big parts for their team. Jordan Hawkins racked up big scoring games to lead UConn to a title last season. Ochai Agbaji spearheaded Kansas to a title in 2021-22, and Jared Butler was crucial for Baylor in 2020-21. 

Pullin will remain a key piece in helping Florida make a run. But if the Gators get caught in a position where they need to make up a deficit or keep up with a high-scoring offense, Clayton could be the player to step up and cement himself as an NCAA Tournament legend. 

He's the X-Factor that could drop 20 points against anyone in the nation to put Florida over the top against even the highest seeds of the tournament. 

Clayton and the Gators' tournament journey will begin against the winner of Boise State or Colorado in the First Round. The game will tip off at 4:30 p.m. on Friday in Indianapolis, Ind. 

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