Florida Gators starting point guard Walter Clayton Jr. continues to rack up accolades as he was named to the John R. Wooden Award All-America Team and received Top 5 honors from the Los Angeles Athletic Club on Tuesday. Clayton, who had already earned first-team All-America honors from all four major selectors—Associated Press, The Sporting News, NABC, and USBWA—is the first Gator to be recognized on all four major teams.
Clayton, a native of Lake Wales, Fla., has been pivotal in leading the Gators to their sixth Final Four appearance. He currently averages 18.1 points and 4.2 assists per game, both career highs. His strong performances also earned him first-team All-SEC and SEC Tournament MVP honors.
Florida head coach Todd Golden praised Clayton’s resilience and maturity. He noted that Clayton had an “incredibly rewarding year” both on the court and personally, as he balances basketball with fatherhood. Golden added that Clayton’s consistent approach to the game, never getting too high or too low, would be crucial as the Gators head into the Final Four.
In the NCAA Tournament, Clayton has truly shone, averaging 22.3 points per game and being named West Regional Most Outstanding Player. One of his standout moments came during Florida’s Elite Eight victory over Texas Tech, where Clayton scored eight points in the final three minutes, including the go-ahead three-pointer, contributing to an 18-4 run to secure the win.
Clayton’s stellar performances have elevated him into the spotlight, and his leadership will be key as the Gators prepare for their Final Four rematch against Auburn. Florida faces Auburn on Saturday at 6:09 p.m. ET in San Antonio, Texas.
Alongside Clayton, other players recognized in the John R. Wooden Award All-America Team include Johni Broome (Auburn), L.J. Cryer (Houston), Cooper Flagg (Duke), and Kam Jones (Marquette). The Top 5 of the Wooden Award also features Clayton alongside Broome, Flagg, Mark Sears (Alabama), and Braden Smith (Purdue).
Clayton’s remarkable season has positioned him as a standout player in college basketball, with fans and analysts alike eagerly anticipating his next steps.
