Walter Clayton Jr. was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player following Florida’s thrilling 65-63 victory over Houston in the national championship game. Although he was scoreless at halftime, Clayton played a crucial role in Florida’s comeback from a 12-point deficit. He finished with 11 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, and a block, including a key 3-pointer that tied the game at 60-60 with 3:14 remaining. This momentum shift was pivotal as the Gators, who trailed for most of the game, rallied to capture their third national title, their first since 2007.
Despite a less-than-ideal performance in the final, Clayton’s tournament contributions were significant. He had a career-defining 34-point performance in Florida’s semifinal win over Auburn, where he scored 20 points in the second half, including three 3-pointers, to fuel the Gators’ rally from an eight-point deficit. Over the course of the NCAA Tournament, Clayton averaged 22.3 points per game, with four 20-point games and two 30-point performances, including a 30-point game in Florida’s stunning comeback win over Texas Tech in the West Region finals.
Clayton also made history by becoming the first player since Larry Bird in 1979 to score 30-plus points in both the Elite Eight and Final Four in consecutive games. For the season, Clayton set a Florida school record for most points in a single season, with an average of over 18 points per game.
Florida finished the season with a 36-4 record, capping off their remarkable tournament run with the national title. The victory marked a historic achievement for the program, with Clayton’s leadership and clutch performances solidifying his place as a key figure in the Gators’ championship success.
