Walter Clayton Jr.

Walter Marterry Clayton Jr. (born March 6, 2003) is an American college basketball player for the Florida Gators of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). He previously played for the Iona Gaels.

Early life and high school career
Clayton grew up in Lake Wales, Florida and initially attended Lake Wales High School, where he played football and basketball. He averaged 17.5 points, five rebounds, and 3.2 assists as a sophomore. Clayton transferred to Bartow High School after his sophomore year. He averaged 15.4 points, 4.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game during his first season at Bartow as the Yellow Jackets won the Florida Class 6A state championship. Clayton committed to playing college basketball for Iona over offers from East Carolina, Florida A&M, Charleston, Stetson, and James Madison.

Clayton was considered a better college prospect in football and began playing the sport as a freshman in high school at the urging of his childhood friend, Gervon Dexter. He had offers to play football from Florida, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Nebraska, and West Virginia.

College career
Clayton averaged 7.3 points per game during his freshman season at Iona. He was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Player of the Year as a sophomore after averaging 16.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game during the regular season. After the season, Clayton entered the NCAA transfer portal.

Clayton ultimately transferred to Florida. He also had considered transferring to St. John's and playing for his former Iona head coach, Rick Pitino.