Walter Clayton Jr. facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Walter Clayton Jr.

Clayton playing for the Florida Gators in 2023
No. 1 – Dallas Mavericks
Point guard / shooting guard
Personal information
Born	(2003-03-06) March 6, 2003 (age 23) Sebring, Florida, U.S.
High school	Lake Wales (Lake Wales, Florida) Bartow (Bartow, Florida)
Listed height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight	195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
College	Iona (2021–2023) Florida (2023–2025)
NBA Draft	2025 / Round: 1 / Pick: 18th overall
Selected by the Washington Wizards
Pro career	2025–present
League	NBA
Career history
2025–2026	Utah Jazz
2025	→Salt Lake City Stars
2026	Memphis Grizzlies
2026–present	Dallas Mavericks
2026–present	→Texas Legends
Career highlights and awards
NCAA champion (2025) NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player (2025) Consensus first-team All-American (2025) SEC Male Athlete of the Year (2025) First-team All-SEC (2025) Second-team All-SEC (2024) SEC Tournament MVP (2025) MAAC Player of the Year (2023) First-team All-MAAC (2023)

Walter Marterry Clayton Jr. (born March 6, 2003) is an American professional basketball player. He plays as a guard for the Dallas Mavericks in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He also plays on a two-way contract with the Texas Legends in the NBA G League. A two-way deal lets him learn with both teams. Clayton played college basketball for the Iona Gaels and the Florida Gators.

Clayton achieved amazing success during his time in college. With the Gators, he became a consensus first-team All-American in 2025. He led his team to a grand victory in the national championship. After that thrilling game, experts gave him the Final Four Most Outstanding Player award. Clayton can shoot from far away, pass smoothly, and stop opposing scorers with fast defense.

Growing Up and High School Years

Walter Clayton Jr. was born on March 6, 2003, in the sunny city of Sebring, Florida. His family loved sports very much. His mother, Cherie Ann Quarg, played softball and basketball when she was young. His father, Walter Clayton Sr., played basketball and football. Because both parents loved athletics, Walter grew up running around with balls in his hands.

When Walter was 10 years old, his family moved to Lake Wales, Florida. Walter attended Lake Wales High School for his first two years of high school. He was very fast and showed incredible energy on the court. During his sophomore year, he scored an average of 17.5 points per game. He also grabbed five rebounds and handed out 3.2 assists in every contest.

Moving to Bartow High School

After his second year, Clayton transferred to Bartow High School in nearby Bartow, Florida. Playing for the Bartow Yellow Jackets, he helped lead the basketball team to huge wins. He scored an average of 15.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game. His great play helped Bartow win the Florida Class 6A state championship trophy.

Clayton caught the attention of many colleges while playing basketball. Several universities wanted him to join their teams. These schools included East Carolina, Florida A&M, Charleston, Stetson, and James Madison. Instead of picking those schools, Clayton decided to join the Iona Gaels.

Choosing Between Football and Basketball

As a teenager, Walter Clayton Jr. was not just a basketball star. He was also an elite football player. His childhood friend Gervon Dexter, who later became an NFL player, urged him to try football in high school. Clayton played quarterback and safety because he had a strong throwing arm and great speed.

Many famous college football coaches noticed his talent on the gridiron. Major college football programs offered him scholarships to play for them. These prestigious football programs included Florida, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Nebraska, and West Virginia. Many scouts thought he had an even brighter future in football than in basketball. However, Clayton loved basketball deeply. He followed his heart and chose to play college basketball instead.

College Basketball Journey

Starting Out with the Iona Gaels

Clayton began his college journey in New York with the Iona Gaels in 2021. As a freshman, he worked hard to learn the faster speed of college sports. He averaged 7.3 points per game in his first year while helping his teammates win games.

During his second season, Clayton became the primary leader of the squad. He scored an average of 16.8 points, grabbed 4.3 rebounds, and gave out 3.2 assists per game. He also led the entire nation in free-throw shooting percentage by making over 95 percent of his foul shots. Because of his hard work, he won the MAAC Player of the Year award. He was also chosen for the First-team All-MAAC. After this amazing sophomore season, he entered the NCAA transfer portal to find new opportunities.

Joining the Florida Gators

Clayton decided to transfer to the Florida Gators to play in his home state. He had also thought about moving to St. John's to play for his former coach, Rick Pitino. In the end, returning home to Florida was the perfect choice for him.

During the 2023–24 season, Clayton quickly became a fan favorite in Gainesville. He averaged 17.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. He made the Second-Team All-SEC list. Clayton helped the team reach the SEC Tournament championship game for the first time in ten years. He also guided Florida into the national tournament for the first time in three seasons. In a thrilling tournament game against Colorado, Clayton scored a remarkable 33 points.

Returning for His Senior Season

After his great first year with Florida, Clayton tested the waters for professional basketball. He entered his name into the 2024 NBA Draft. College athletes can speak with professional teams during this time to see if they are ready. Clayton decided that he wanted one more year of college memories. He withdrew from the draft and returned to Florida for his senior season.

His return sparked one of the greatest seasons in the history of the Florida program. During the 2024–25 season, Clayton led the Gators to an incredible 27–4 record in the regular season. He scored 17.2 points and dished out 4.3 assists per game. Clayton guided Florida to big wins over No. 1 Tennessee and on the road against No. 1 Auburn. It marked the first time Florida had ever defeated a top-ranked team on an opponent's home court.

Because of these achievements, Clayton was chosen as a first-team All-SEC player. On March 18, 2025, voters named him a consensus first-team All-American. He was celebrated as one of the best players in the whole country.

Winning the National Championship

The highlight of Clayton's college career happened during the 2025 NCAA Tournament. The Gators fought hard in every round to reach the title contest. In the championship game against the tough Houston Cougars, the final seconds were full of excitement.

With Florida leading by just two points, Houston guard Emanuel Sharp got the ball behind the three-point line. Clayton sprinted over and played fierce, clean defense. His quick jump forced Sharp to hesitate and fumble the basketball. Clayton's teammate Alex Condon grabbed the loose ball off the floor as the final buzzer sounded. The Gators won their third national title and their first championship since 2007.

Clayton received the prestigious Most Outstanding Player award for his leadership in the Final Four. Later that year, he earned the SEC Male Athlete of the Year award. He became the first male basketball player from Florida to ever win this honor.

Professional Basketball Career

Drafting and the Utah Jazz

On June 25, 2025, Clayton achieved his dream of reaching the pros. The Washington Wizards selected him with the 18th pick in the first round of the 2025 NBA draft. Washington quickly traded his draft rights to the Utah Jazz in exchange for the rights to Jamir Watkins and Will Riley. On July 2, Clayton signed his rookie contract with the Jazz alongside fellow newcomer Ace Bailey.

Clayton made his official debut on October 22, 2025. He recorded ten points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals in a big win over the Los Angeles Clippers. During his rookie year, he spent some time gaining game experience with the Salt Lake City Stars in the developmental league. On December 7, Clayton scored 20 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder. In total, he played 45 games for Utah, averaging 6.8 points and 5.5 assists per game.

Memphis Grizzlies

On February 3, 2026, the Jazz traded Clayton to the Memphis Grizzlies. The trade was a huge blockbuster deal that included veteran players Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, and Georges Niang, along with future draft picks. In exchange, Utah received star forward Jaren Jackson Jr., John Konchar, Jock Landale, and Vince Williams Jr.

Clayton stepped onto the court for Memphis on February 6, scoring 11 points against the Portland Trail Blazers. On April 5, 2026, he matched his career high by scoring 20 points against the Milwaukee Bucks. Clayton played 24 games for Memphis and averaged 9.7 points and 5.7 assists per game. In October 2026, the Grizzlies waived Clayton during their preseason roster cuts.

Dallas Mavericks

Clayton did not have to wait long to find a new basketball home. On October 21, 2026, the Dallas Mavericks signed him to a two-way contract. Under this deal, Clayton splits his time playing for the Mavericks and their developmental team, the Texas Legends. He continues to work hard each day to score points, pass to teammates, and play tough defense.

Personal Life

Walter Clayton Jr. cares deeply about his family and friends. He enjoys spending quiet time away from the noisy basketball arena. In December 2023, Clayton and his girlfriend, Tatiyana Burney, welcomed a daughter. Clayton often shares how being a loving father gives him extra motivation to succeed on and off the court.

Career Statistics

NBA Regular Season

College Statistics