Walter Clayton Jr. Leads Florida To National Championship Game

SAN ANTONIO – Walter Clayton Jr.’s introduction to March Madness came 14 years ago. It was the month when Kemba Walker put Connecticut on his back, leading the Huskies to a Big East Tournament crown and unexpected NCAA Tournament title. Clayton is now one win away from pulling off a pretty good imitation of Cardiac Kemba.

The former Iona University star had a memorable Final Four performance, lifting No. 1 Florida past fellow No. 1 Auburn, 79-73, at the Alamodome on Saturday night, April 5, 2025. This wasn’t as dramatic as his second-half outbursts in come-from-behind wins over No. 9 Connecticut in the second round and No. 3 Texas Tech in the Elite Eight. But it was just as impressive, as Clayton went off for 34 points and five 3-pointers.

Again, he was at his best in crunch time. Clayton scored 10 points in the final 4:29 and 20 in the second half. His 3-point play with 1:33 to go pushed the Florida lead to six, after he had scored in a driving layup on the previous possession, going past Auburn forward Dylan Cardwell like he wasn’t there.

Clayton’s emergence is straight out of a Hollywood script. An under-recruited kid who only had mid- and low-major scholarship offers coming out of high school, he caught the eye of Rick Pitino, then at Iona, and developed into a star under Pitino’s tutelage. After returning home following his sophomore year, he flirted with going pro last spring, only to return to lead Florida to a spot in the national championship game.

Alijah Martin added 17 points for Florida, while Thomas Haugh had 12. On the other side, Chad Baker-Mazara scored 18 points for Auburn, and Johni Broome had 15. The Gators, trailing by nine early in the second half, turned the game over the final 20 minutes with their defense. They forced 12 Auburn turnovers and limited them to just 33.3 percent shooting after halftime.

If there were any questions about Broome’s performance, they were answered on the game’s opening possession. He posted up inside and sank a short jumper, marking the start of a strong half for the SEC Player of the Year. Broome contributed a solid 12-point, four-rebound, two-block effort that helped the Tigers control the opening 20 minutes.

Auburn owned the inside, outscoring Florida by 12 in the paint and doubling them up in second-chance points. Broome keyed an 11-4 run that pushed the Tigers’ lead to nine late in the first half. However, Clayton and Martin kept Florida close, combining for 24 points on 8-of-15 shooting, while the other Gators struggled at 4-of-12.

Clayton and Martin struck again early in the second half, producing eight points in an 11-0 burst that turned a nine-point deficit into a two-point Florida lead. Auburn responded with six straight points but trailed by two at the under-8 timeout. Over the first 12:13 of the second half, the Tigers managed just 12 points along with seven turnovers and missed their lone 3-point attempt. A clearly tiring Broome was limited to just three points during that span.

Florida is now headed to their first national championship game since 2007, and they can thank star Walter Clayton Jr. for helping them reach this pivotal moment. Clayton’s explosive performance in the Final Four not only secured the win but also marked his second consecutive game scoring at least 30 points, having previously tallied 30 points against Texas Tech in the Elite Eight.

With his remarkable stat line, Clayton became the first player since Larry Bird in 1979 to notch back-to-back 30-point games in the Elite Eight and Final Four, a stat that speaks volumes about his performance during this tournament. As noted by ESPN Stats & Info, "Walter Clayton Jr. is the first player with back-to-back 30-point games in the Elite Eight and national semifinals since Larry Bird in 1979," tweeted Jeff Borzello.

As anticipation builds for the national title game on Monday night, April 7, 2025, the question remains: will Clayton pop off for another 30-plus point game? Given his current form, it wouldn’t be surprising if he did.

Walter Clayton Jr. has not only starred for Florida in March Madness, but he also has a fascinating backstory that could have seen him pursuing a different sport altogether. A standout football player at Lake Wales High School in Florida, Clayton excelled at both safety and wide receiver. By the end of his sophomore year, he was a four-star recruit with offers from major programs like Florida, Florida State, Georgia, and Notre Dame.

However, between his sophomore and junior years of high school, Clayton decided to pursue basketball instead of football at the college level. His senior basketball season was affected by the COVID pandemic, but he eventually transferred to Florida before his junior season, where he has since made a significant impact.

During his high school football career, Clayton was known for his versatility, playing multiple positions and showcasing his athleticism. He made 10 catches for 189 yards and two touchdowns on offense while also recording 51 tackles and one interception on defense in his sophomore season. After transferring to rival Bartow High School, he focused solely on basketball, leading his team to a state championship in 2020 and another title in 2021.

Now, as Florida prepares for the championship game, the Gators are banking on Clayton’s talents to bring home the title. His journey from a lightly recruited high school player to a star on college basketball's biggest stage is a testament to his hard work and dedication. With the national title within reach, Florida fans are eager to see if Clayton can deliver once again.

As the clock ticks down to the national championship game, all eyes will be on Walter Clayton Jr. Will he rise to the occasion once more and lead Florida to victory?