I think he has to be in the discussion as being among the top players in program history. What say you? Top 5? Top 10?
Neal Walk as #1 for sure. Horford, Beal and Clayton have to be in the mix for second. Add in Noah. Maxwell as the clear #2 should be up there but there is history.. JWill smoked his way out of the discussion. Great player.
“But can he play point guard?” In all seriousness, he is the perfect combination of Humphrey’s shot and Green’s floor game with just a little of that senior Wilbekin swagger.
I agree with you here, sir. It's amazing what Clayton Jr. has done as a PG this season. CTFG plugged him into the system as a PG and he has done a phenomenal job!!!
Born 1989, I think he has to be top 5 now with the TEAM accomplishments he has helped make happen. I think undefined criteria make it so subjective. Some value individual accomplishments and statistics, some value being a top player leading to team accomplishments, some value a mix, then some throw in added value (me) for players whose energy added more to the program than stats can quantify (Noah). But for me, top 5 for sure.
I have almost identical thoughts. Basing it entirely on Gator career… I think I’d go with: Noah, Horford, Wilbekin, Clayton and Maxwell. Jwill didn’t make it a season. Beal was very solid, but really emerged later in his freshman season and moreso as an nba talent. I always parse out Walk, only bc I never saw him play… and it was such a different era. But yes… he’d have to make a list.
I think it was the summer of 2018 when I ran a contest on the top 20 all-time Gator hoopers. Folks predicted who they thought would be voted top 20 and then voted. Would be fun to dig up that thread and read it. Brent got Bill Koss to serve as a guest panelist.
I was remembering that! Bill had a bias … or maybe a more inclusive perspective… toward the older players. I’d love to re-read that! I spoke with Bill today. I’m gonna ask him where he’d put Walt.
Something interesting about Walt. When he was at Iona, Pitino referred to him as the best Freshman he had ever coached. That is from a guy who coached all-time greats, including Mashburn. I remember my dad and I thinking it was a bit of hyperbole. Maybe not.
I'm having Easter Dinner at Jay Bilas's house; I'll ask him the same question. I also heard your good buddy Mike White will be there, so maybe he will chime in...
One of the top players for the Gators?, without a doubt. Big difference in figuring out this list is that you have to remember that the 04’s were an unstoppable TEAM. Great players yes, but greater as a complete unit. I’m not sure this team has that same makeup but as a player, Clayton is one of the best.
I just remember all the hand wringing in the preseason on us not having a true point guard. I was one if those saying it. Man was I wrong. Best guard in Gator history?
I think he is in the top five Gators; he is the glue that holds this team together. He is a sublime athlete, fearless, uber-competitive, and a winner. It has been a pleasure watching Walter Clayton represent UF the past two years!
I appreciate your final sentence very much. I cannot recall ever having a moment of embarrassment at the behaviors, on & off court, of any of our great players or teams As an alum, they are representing me and all other Gators. I cannot think of a word or action I have seen from any one on this team that doesn’t reflect well on UF. Walter Clayton exemplifies that conduct. His team-centered leadership is an intangible that can be coached to a higher degree but must come primarily from deep within the man. Such a trait is uncommon in talented individuals.
Bill is the unofficial gator historian, having covered the program for decades and written the book, Pond Birds. If you haven’t read… it’s really interesting. He has unmatched perspective. I like Mike White, but I don’t think he’d offer much to the discussion. He had a fleeting tenure, and didn’t really got overly involved in program history. Though I think you’re kidding.
Top 10 isnt even a doubt. Top 5 is only a doubt because of the 04's hogging spots. I probably put him somewhere around the 3-4 spot.
So my son (14) plays in a program here in NC that gets to work with Kevin Nunley of NetWorks basketball a good deal. (He is close friends with our head coach.) He has coached college ball at different levels. Even did a stint at Santa Fe in Gainesville years ago. He is someone who helped craft Walts shot. He likes to joke about his motion and how his form is a little off. He joked with me a while back. "Sorry we couldn't fix that, but it Isn't really broken" We both laughed. , but he loves to talk about Walt the person. He told me in 40 years of being around the game Walt is one of the best most cerebral kids he ever worked with. He said he coached him In some tournaments and he was quiet in huddles and you wonder if he is even listening, but then he goes out and executes everything you just talked about to perfection. He said he loved his time with him and he is one of the best he has been around. @ApexNC, coach Nunley is in Raleigh these days and gets over here to Wilmington a good deal. Are you familiar with him? Sitting with him during a game is like watching it for the first time. Dude knows everything before it happens.
I agree, though I thought of my top 5, and left of names like: miller, haslem, walk, brewer, Beal, williams, moten, cheese, moten, Bonner ….
