Next up is #1 Walter Clayton, Jr. Overview Earned Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Player of the Year and unanimous first-team All-MAAC honors as a sophomore in 2022-23. Averaged 16.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.3 3-pointers per game with a .431 3-point field goal percentage last season. Has totaled 771 points, 207 rebounds, 154 assists, 83 steals and 30 blocked shots in 64 games with 35 starts over two seasons at Iona. Has two double-doubles, 37 double-figure scoring games and 13 games with 20+ points, including a career-high 30 points at Niagara (2/12/23). Honors 2023 MAAC Player of the Year 2023 First-Team All-MAAC (unanimous) 2023 NCAA Stat Champion – .953 Free Throw Percentage 2022-23 Totaled 538 points, 136 rebounds, 103 assists, 72 3-point field goals and 59 steals, starting 31 of 32 games and leading Iona to regular season and conference tournament titles. Led the nation with a .953 free throw percentage, knocking down 102 of 107 from the charity stripe. His 16.8 scoring average ranked third in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Had seven games with four or more 3-pointers, including a 6-for-6 game vs. Santa Clara and a 6-for-10 night vs. SMU. Scored 30 points on 12-for-23 shooting at Niagara. Posted two double-doubles, posting 20 points and 12 rebounds vs. St. Louis and 21 points and 11 rebounds in the conference tournament vs. Mount St. Mary’s. Tallied 15 points, four rebounds and four assists in the NCAA Tournament against eventual national champion UConn. Dished a season-high nine assists vs. Marist and nabbed seven steals vs. Siena. 2021-22 Totaled 233 point, 71 rebounds 51 assists, 30 3-point field goals and 24 steals, starting four of his 32 appearances. Averaged 7.3 points while helping Iona to a regular season championship and appearance in the NIT, where the Gaels visited Florida and Clayton matched a season-high with 27 minutes played. Posted a season-high 21 points vs. Delaware, shooting 8-for-11 from the field and 4-for-5 from 3-point range. Dished a season-high six assists in the conference tournament vs. Rider. Tallied 10 double-figure scoring performances. Prep A basketball and football standout before focusing on basketball beginning his junior year, Clayton helped Bartow basketball to a pair of 6A state championships. Was high school classmates with former Florida football player Gervon Dexter Sr. Took part in summer workouts with Chandler Parsons’ CP25 program while the AAU circuit was shut down due to COVID. Personal Parents are Cherie Quarg and Walter Clayton Sr. Has two sisters, Asia Harris and Giselle Clayton. Both parents played basketball in high school, and his dad also played football. Also played football growing up. Came to Florida because he believes we can win big here. Off the Court Chose his number because he likes the number 1. Favorite food: His mom’s Jambalaya If he could have a superpower: Invisibility Hidden talent: Video games If he could have dinner with any three people: Erik Spoelstra, Kobe Bryant, Rick Ross Favorite NBA player: Bradley Beal Favorite athlete outside the NBA: Tiger Woods Favorite place he’s traveled: Athens, Greece Favorite holiday and why: Thanksgiving, because of the food Favorite movie or TV show: American Gangster Favorite book: Never Finished by David Goggins Source: Walter Clayton Jr. - Men's Basketball - Florida Gators
