Local Gator boy stayed hot
Florida Gator phenom Walter Clayton Jr. was not allowed outside to play by his father, Walter Clayton Sr., as a youngster unless he took a basketball and went only to the basketball court in Lake Wales.
“That was fine. I used to sneak off sometimes, but I used to be out there most of the time,” Clayton Jr. admitted. “I just snuck around the neighborhood with my cousins a little bit.”
That’s how the smooth-scoring, collegiate national champion point guard began his journey on the hardwood where he was named the NCAA men’s basketball tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
Clayton Jr. averaged 22.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 33.7 minutes per game in six tournament games in three different states as the Gators claimed the title.
Perhaps the most exciting moment of Clayton Jr.’s career as a Gator was when he defensively jumped in front of Houston’s Emanuel Sharp, who was attempting to shoot a potential three pointer shooting in the final 13 seconds of the title game in Texas, forcing the shooter to reconsider, and the clock to run out to a Gator victory.
“I was a little late on the close out,” said Clayton Jr. “But he ended up throwing it down.”
And then the Gators celebrated.
Clayton Jr. has been on a whirlwind since the championship game, with appearances, a parade, a visit to the Today Show, speaking with students at Bartow Middle School and in his hometown of Lake Wales at the Kirkland Gymnasium among his post-game journey.
“He’s living my dream for sure,” said Clayton Sr., who was sitting on the sidelines on Thursday at Bartow Middle School. The two often played against each other. “That’s pretty much all I taught him. He made his first three shots in Pampers. I knew I had something special then.”
Clayton Sr. was part of the Frostproof state championship football team in 1999. Clayton Jr.’s mother, Cheri, played softball and basketball for the Bulldogs.
Clayton Jr. played Pee Wee basketball in Lake Wales. He was part of several competitive travel teams, and later in his teens with Taylor Athletics, Chris Paul and Team Knight.
He played football his first two years at Lake Wales High School and was getting (college) offers at the time.
However, Clayton Jr. wanted to play basketball more and transferred to Bartow to what Clayton Sr. calls, “the King” with high school coach Terrance McGriff.
Together McGriff, Clayton Jr. and the Bartow Yellow Jackets won two state titles together.
“He was a joy to coach,” said McGriff. “He is very smart. His game has improved, his ball handling, his shooting, his ability to watch film. He was a leader in the way he cared for his teammates. He has a fearless faith to do what he has done. He’s humble, unselfish and a communicator.”
Clayton Jr. started his college career by playing two seasons at Iona University in New York before transferring to the University of Florida.
“Once he knew he was better, that’s all he wanted,” said Clayton Sr. of his son’s competitiveness and love of the game.
The local event in Bartow was scheduled to take place at Bartow High School before it was switched to Bartow Middle School. The high school and its gymnasium are familiar places for Clayton Jr..
“Every time I come home, I try to go back for sure,” said Clayton Jr. “That’s my place. I work out whenever I’m home.”
Clayton Jr. has been playing on the road in college quite a bit to play and enhance his skills.
“For sure I miss it,” he said of the Bartow gym. “I think me and all my teammates from high school definitely miss those runs.”
The flurry following the national title has been tempered for him.
“I think my family has been doing a good job of trying to help me manage it all. They are kind of handling, talking to everybody, getting me to places and then outside of that, just kind of letting me chill. Get a little peace and quiet at home.”
Next up is the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) draft where he is expected to be selected in the top 12.
When asked if Clayton Jr. wanted to play for a particular team, none came to mind.
“Whoever gets me,” he said. “I’m ready to work. Whoever takes me.”
He will take parts of Lake Wales and Bartow with him.
“In my two years in Bartow here I just learned a lot from Coach McGriff and the whole Bartow community,” said Clayton Jr. “So, just trying to take those traits, family, togetherness and trying to build those traits and have them in multiple places.”
Clayton Jr. saw flashes during the Gator’s regular season of the potential to reach the national championship game.
The Gators were losing by four points against North Carolina with four minutes to play. However, Florida rallied, took the lead and won.
“We just all stayed together,” said Clayton Jr. “Nobody was arguing with each other. Everybody just stuck together and we pulled out a win.”
Florida was down to Houston by 12 in the championship game, when that togetherness became apparent.
“It’s just our ability to not start pointing fingers,” said Clayton Jr. “To stay together, be calm and collected throughout the game.”
The ability to not panic helped the Gators achieve success.
“That’s March Madness,” said Clayton Jr. “So that thought is way in the back of your mind, because if you lose, it’s the end. Even in the Houston game, all those games. Just gaining experience and being able to stick together throughout the stretches. Basketball is a game of runs. They went on their run. We just had to go on ours.”
Plus, his father had taught and played with Clayton Jr. all his life.
“Keep the ball in your hand,” Clayton Jr. said his father told him. “Just keep working. Never stop.”
The two often argue about who is the best NBA player, LeBron James or Michael Jordan.
“For sure,” said Clayton Jr. “LeBron is the GOAT for sure.”
However, Clayton Jr. is open to playing any position for any team in the NBA.
“Wherever they want me to play at,” he said. “I’m going to do my job.”