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 toward … 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...
