Apr 23, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra reacts in the first quarter of game two of the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images David Richard-Imagn Images

Miami Heat Predicted To Draft Battle-Tested SEC Guard

Originally posted on Miami Heat on SI | By Alex Toledo | Last updated May 20, 2025 6:57 AM ET

The NBA Draft is slowly approaching, and now that the Draft Lottery and Combine have passed by, draft experts all over have scrambled in an attempt to figure out who will end up where.

Bleacher Report's most recent mock draft , written by Jonathan Wasserman (with contributions from Zach Buckley), has the Heat selecting Walter Clayton Jr. of the 2025 NCAA champion Florida Gators

"Despite struggling in the first half in the national title game against Houston, who made him priority No. 1 on the scouting report, Clayton ultimately did an effective job switching into playmaker mode. And then he came on late—which has become a theme—delivering a pair of tough finishes and a movement three to help bring Florida back," Wasserman said. "Scouts acknowledge his stock is rising entering the pre-draft process."

Bleacher Report has the Heat selecting guard Walter Clayton Jr with the 20th pick

Pro comp: Payton Pritchard, Cole Anthony

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The 22-year old senior averaged 18.3 points, 4.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals. His strongest skill is shooting. He maintained efficiency (38.6 percent) despite a mostly high-difficulty shot profile.

"Confidence in Walter Clayton Jr. peaked after his 34 points against Auburn," Wasserman said. "The fearlessness and clutch shotmaking have scouts starting to buy in and ultimately look past the size questions for a scoring guard."

In the Gators' championship run, Clayton averaged 22.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists, converting on seven free throws a night.

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Alexander Toledo is a contributor to Miami Heat On SI and producer/co-host of the Five on the Floor podcast, covering the Heat and NBA. He can be reached at toledoalexander22@gmail.com. Twitter: @tropicalblanket

This article first appeared on Miami Heat on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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