Walter Clayton Jr. rises in latest ESPN NBA Draft projection
With the NBA Draft set to begin Wednesday night, ESPN’s latest 2025 mock is out and All-American Florida Gators point guard Walter Clayton Jr.‘s stock seems to be rising per Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo of ESPN.
On June 18, they had Clayton going with the No. 29 pick in the first round. But as of Wednesday afternoon, Givony and Woo now project Clayton to go with the No. 23 selection to New Orleans.
Writes Woo:
Clayton has showcased his dynamic shotmaking in workouts and worked his way up boards in a first round that has shaped up somewhat light on point guard options. He has fans in front offices selecting higher than this, with scenarios in play in which he lands in the top 20. His explosiveness and ability to create his own shot are strong calling cards that should give him a pathway to being a useful bench scorer, at worst.
Minnesota, Miami and Atlanta are considered potential suitors. If Clayton becomes available here, he would be a potential plug-and-play option for a team that could use additional backcourt shooting.
Meanwhile, Woo also pointed to the Miami Heat’s pick at No. 20 and noted this: “Clayton Jr. is another player who has frequently been tied to this spot.”
Also of note, ESPN has Florida shooting guard Alijah Martin going No. 52 overall to Phoenix. That’s up from No. 57 overall (second round to the Orlando Magic), the projection ESPN had for Martin last week.
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Walter Clayton was the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament
Clayton was the star player on Florida’s 36-4 national championship team. He averaged 18.3 points, 4.2 assists and 3.7 assists a game, hit one big shot after the other during the NCAA Tournament and was a consensus first-team All-American in his final season for the Gators. Most current NBA mock drafts have him going in the first round.
Martin averaged 14.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists a game while shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 35.0 percent from 3-point range in his lone season with the Gators after transferring from Florida Atlantic.
The NBA Draft begins Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC and ESPN.
