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NCAA Sends Parting Message To Walter Clayton Jr. After Final Florida Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Apr 8, 2025 12:08 AM ET

Walter Clayton Jr. has been one of the best players in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, guiding the Florida Gators to the national championship.

On Monday, Clayton and Florida defeated the Houston Cougars 65-63 in the title game in San Antonio, Texas, the senior guard's final game with the Gators.

Clayton Jr. had an elite stretch to the national championship, averaging 24.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists through the Final Four win over Auburn.

Although his scoring run came to a halt against Houston, he was able to make an impact elsewhere, tallying 11 points on 3-of-10 shooting, five rebounds and seven assists and earning tournament MOP honors.

After the game, the NCAA sent a parting message to Clayton, sharing a video of the guard signing the camera lens.

"Win the title," NCAA March Madness wrote on X. "Sign your name on the lens. Sign off with a Gator Chomp"

Win the title ✅
Sign your name on the lens ✅
Sign off with a Gator Chomp ✅#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/HTLY6aUDQQ
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 8, 2025

Clayton, a 6-foot-3, 195-pounder from Lake Wales, FL, was unranked in the recruiting class of 2021 (247Sports ). With minimal offers, he committed to play for the Iona Gaels.

Clayton played most of his freshman season off the bench, earning 16.1 minutes per game. He broke out in his sophomore season, averaging 16.8 points and 3.2 assists before transferring to Florida in 2023.

In his first season with the Gators, he led them to a No. 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Scoring 33 points, Clayton and Florida fell to Colorado in the first round.

This season was Clayton's best yet, averaging career highs of 18.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game (prior to national championship). He also earned his first consensus All-American honors and won the SEC Tournament MVP after leading Florida to a conference championship win.

Now, Clayton will likely be taking his talents to the NBA, where some have him going in the first round of the 2025 draft.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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