Walter Clayton Jr.

Walter Clayton Jr. simply knows how to put the ball in the basket. He was an elite shooter from three-point range on a large sample over his 4-year college career. He improved as a ball-handler and downhill scorer as he was asked to play more of a true point guard role in his senior season at Florida. Formerly a highly touted football recruit, Clayton’s quick twitch and instincts help him make plays on defense as well as finish at the rim in transition. Clayton has average measurables and many will harp on the fact that he’s already 22 years old, but I see him as a lottery-level talent given his translatable skill set and steady improvement throughout his college career.

Strengths:

  • Deadeye shooter with compact mechanics. Can elevate and shoot over defenders. Efficient from three on high volume.

  • Can create for himself with dribble jumpers and straight-line drives to the rim.

  • Strong frame that helps him play through contact and defend on the perimeter.

  • Made large strides as a distributor in his final college season, taking on more ball-handling responsibility.

  • Can play on or off the ball. Highly effective on catch-and-shoot opportunities.

Weaknesses:

  • Lower ceiling on the defensive end given his measurables and lack of turnover creation.

  • Room to improve as a true point guard. Made solid passing reads in his senior season but still had his share of turnovers.

  • Still growing as a processor when making reads off the dribble. Tendency to force contested looks in these scenarios.