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Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. brings the ball down court against UConn during the second half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Summary: Clayton is a fearless shooter with the versatility to take any shot at any moment. But his limitations as a defender hold him back from being an elite prospect.
Comparisons: Ben Gordon, Jordan Clarkson
Strengths
Shooting versatility: There isn’t a shot he isn’t comfortable taking. Firing off handoffs, pulling up over ball screens, rising off-balanced at the end of the clock — it truly doesn’t matter, he can thrive. This season he made 40% of his 3s off the catch and an absurd 37.1% off the dribble.
Shot creation: While he’s not a primary creator, he can get a bucket at the end of the clock with a functional handle and incredible confidence getting into his shot off the bounce.
Clutch: The crazy 3-pointer he hit in the closing minutes of Florida’s second round win over UConn is representative of his fearlessness to score in big moments. It’s almost like he’s immune to pressure.
Concerns
Defense: He’s aloof. He loses focus. He blows assignments. He’s not a strong on-ball defender. Is shot-making prowess going to be enough to overcome this flaw? Perhaps to earn a role. But to be a big minutes NBA player he needs to be more locked in on D.
Playmaking: He can’t be trusted to be a decision-maker. Sometimes he just throws the ball away because he lacks vision to read defenders.
At-rim finishing: He made only 51.3% of his layups in the half court, per Synergy. He lacks explosiveness and isn’t a great finisher through contact.
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