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Gators guard Walter Clayton named first-team AP All-American

On3 imageby:Keith Niebuhr•about 10 hours•

On3Keith

Florida-Gators-Walter-Clayton-Jr.
Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) shoots the ball during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. (Jordan Prather-Imagn Images)

One week after becoming the first player in program history to earn first-team All-American status, Florida Gators senior point guard Walter Clayton Jr. has earned the same honor from another organization. Last week, the honor came from The Sporting News. Tuesday, the Associated Press followed.

The AP first team looks like this:

-Walter Clayton, Florida, point guard
-Johni Broome, Auburn, forward
-Cooper Flagg, Duke, forward
-Mark Sears, Alabama, guard
-Braden Smith, Purdue, guard

Broome and Flagg were unanimous picks for the 61 national media members who vote for the weekly AP Top 25. 

Per the Associated Press, “Florida had never had a first-team All-American before Clayton, who helped the Gators climb as high as No. 2 in the Top 25 this season. He’s also their first All-American since 2007, when second-teamer Joakim Noah and third-team choice Al Horford led the Gators to their second consecutive national championship.”

Clayton is the sixth Gator to receive first-, second- or third-team All-America recognition from a consensus selector. Previous second- or third-team honors have been earned by Scottie Wilbekin (2014), Al Horford (2007), Joakim Noah (2007), Udonis Haslem (2001) and Neal Walk (1968, ’69).

The consensus All-America selectors is a group that includes the Associated Press, The Sporting News, the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC).

Gators on All-America Teams

* 1st, 2nd or 3rd Team by Consensus Selectors

Walter Clayton Jr.20251st Team AP, TSN
Scottie Wilbekin20143rd Team AP, NABC, TSN
Al Horford20072nd Team NABC; 3rd Team AP
Joakim Noah20072nd Team AP, NABC, USBWA
Udonis Haslem20013rd Team AP
Neal Walk19693rd Team AP, UPI
Neal Walk19682nd Team AP, UPI

The No. 3 Gators are the top seed in the West Region of the NCAA Tournament. Florida, 30-4 overall, faces 16-seeded Norfolk State on Friday in Raleigh, N.C.

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