During the NCAA Tournament, perhaps no player saw their NBA Draft stock rise as much as Florida Gators star Walter Clayton Jr. The senior point guard led the Gators to the national championship, Florida’s first since the Billy Donovan years back in 2006 and 2007. With the NBA Draft a little over two months away, Walter Clayton spoke about the NBA influences he uses on his game.

During an appearance on ESPN’s First Take, Clayton explained how Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry and Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray are the players he uses to model his own game after.

“I would say me personally, you obviously hear the ones, [Stephen] Curry, Jamal Murray, multiple guys, but I just try to take bits and pieces from different player’s games,” Clayton said.

Former NBA player and Duke star Jay Williams said Clayton’s game reminds him of a mix between Curry and Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard. Clayton was a little humbled when told of Williams’ comparison.

Article Continues Below
More NCAA Basketball News
Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson celebrates after his team defeats the Tennessee Volunteers in a game Sunday, March 30, 2025, during the Elite Eight round of the NCAA March Madness tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Houston defeated Tennessee 69-50.
What Kelvin Sampson wants for schedule after Houston championship game lossLorenzo J Reyna ·
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley reacts during the first quarter in a semifinal of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament against the Texas Longhorns at Amalie Arena.
South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley takes talents off court for new analyst roleErin Achenbach ·
Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kevin Young looks on during the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
BYU basketball, Kevin Young agree to long-term contract extensionJake Faigus ·
UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) looks to pass against North Texas Mean Green forward Grant Newell (8) during the first half at Dickies Arena.
Dusty May breaks silence on Yaxel Lendeborg additionScotty White ·
Fans walk by fandom of Pope Leo XIV with graphics before a baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and Texas Rangers at Rate Field.
Pope Leo proudly switches to Villanova hat during important Vatican meetingLorenzo J Reyna ·
As North Carolina Central gears up for the football season, off the field issues give the team a complicated start to the season.
North Carolina Central hit with wrongful death lawsuitRandall Barnes ·

“It’s a little crazy to me to hear that,” Clayton said. “Those are two of the greats. . .I got a long ways to go before I get close to that. Honestly I’m just thankful for the recognition though.”

During this past season, Walter Clayton had a strong year for Florida en route to the national championship. He appeared in 39 games, at a little over 32 minutes per game. He averaged 18.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals with splits of 44.8 percent shooting from the field, 38.6 percent shooting from the three-point line and 87.5 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

Clayton was named the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, with averages of 22.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists during the Florida’s championship run. He didn’t have the most impressive numbers game in the win against Houston, finishing with 11 points on 3-of-10 shooting from the field and 1-of-7 shooting from the three-point line.

But he did add five rebounds, seven assists, one steal and one blocked shot while quarterbacking the team. He also came up with the biggest defensive play of the game, contesting Emanuel Sharpe’s potential game-winning shot. With his college career now over, Clayton will turn his attention to the NBA Draft.