Like most college basketball fans, Stephen A. Smith is finding himself enamored with Walter Clayton Jr. during Florida's NCAA Tournament Final Four run. However, as he attempted to give the All-American his praise on social media, his comparison to Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham flopped.

After Clayton lifted Florida past Auburn in the Final Four with a 34-point performance, Smith attempted to give the guard his flowers. Unfortunately, as he attempted to compare his game to Cunningham, Smith accidentally said Clayton reminds him of “Wade Cunningham.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, just in case you did not know: this brother from [Florida basketball], his name is Walter Clayton Jr., and he is something special,” Smith tweeted. “The brother is the real deal. Reminds me of [Detroit Pistons] big time guard Wade Cunningham.”

Unsurprisingly, Smith's blunder did not go unnoticed by fans. Not only was Smith mocked for being a casual college basketball fan, but he was repeatedly blasted for his “Wade Cunningham” typo.

As a result, Wade Cunningham, a former IndyCar driver from Auckland, New Zealand, received some unexpected shine due to Smith's tweet. The majority of basketball fans previously had no idea who he is but are now at least aware of his existence, thanks to Smith.

Walter Clayton Jr.'s dominant Final Four performance

Article Continues Below
More NBA News
2025 NBA Mock Draft 4.0 with Kevin Durant, Ace Bailey and Suns player
2025 NBA Mock Draft 4.0: Latest intel after Kevin Durant trade shakes up top 10Brett Siegel ·
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) after winning game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center.
2026 NBA title odds after Thunder win, Tyrese Haliburton injury, Kevin Durant tradeRexwell Villas ·
Chicago Bulls former player Scottie Pippen prior to the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at the United Center.
NBA legend Scottie Pippen drops casual flex with NBA Finals message to ThunderMiguel La Torre ·
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) jumps for a shoots the ball as Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) defends during the second half of game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center.
Pacers most to blame for Game 7 loss to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, ThunderLorenzo J Reyna ·
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates after a play during the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Footprint Center.
NBA rumors: What Rockets ‘never put in play’ in Kevin Durant trade talks with SunsZachary Weinberger ·
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) goes after a loose ball against Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) and guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) in the fourth quarter during game six of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
NBA hypes Pacers vs. Thunder with 9-minute ‘Game 7: The movie’Lorenzo J Reyna ·
Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) celebrates defeating the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the West Regional final of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Chase Center.
Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Despite the typo, Clayton still deserved the praise for his Final Four showing. Smith was not the only person to praise him on social media, as fans could not stop showering the Iona transfer with love after another dominant outing.

The 34-game was Clayton's second consecutive 30-point outing. He put up 30 against Texas Tech in the Elite Eight to guide Florida to a five-point comeback win. As one of the best late-game performers in college basketball, Clayton has hit big shots down the stretch of nearly every one of the Gators' NCAA Tournament contests.

Clayton's latest heroics pushed Florida to the National Championship Game, where it will face Houston in the final game of the season. The Cougars are coming off a stunning last-minute upset of Duke in the Final Four and present one of the best defenses in college basketball.