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What to do at Pick 29: Walter Clayton Jr. has championship DNA

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NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament - National Championship - San Antonio
Photo by Tyler Schank/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

He’s a winner. He’s shifty. He can shoot. Could he be a Sun?

I’ve spent the first couple of days diving into draft prospects, starting with a center in Ryan Kalkbrenner and a versatile wing in Yaxel Lendeborg. I’m trying to identify needs that, honestly, I don’t even know if the Suns will have. Because the truth is, we don’t know which direction this team is going to go this offseason and what those needs will be.

So, let’s continue evaluating players. It’s time to turn our attention to the backcourt.

Brian Gregory is working to carve out a clear identity for the Phoenix Suns. And if you’re searching for a specific archetype — a player built a little differently, with a championship pedigree, mental toughness, and the kind of unshakable poise most guys only pretend to have — you don’t have to look much further than the best player on the best NCAA team from last season.

Walter Clayton Jr., PG, Florida

  • Height: 6’3”
  • Weight: 199 pounds
  • Age: 22 years old
  • Experience: Two years at Iona, two years at Florida
  • 2024-25 Statistics: 18.3 points (44.8 FG%, 38.6 3PT%, 87.5 FT%), 3.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.4 turnovers, 1.2 steals

He was the breakout star of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, the leading scorer on the biggest stage, carrying the Florida Gators to a National Championship in a dogfight against the Houston Cougars.

But it wasn’t just the buckets. It was the way he imposed his will on both ends of the floor, dictating tempo, making winning plays, and refusing to let his team fold. Walter Clayton Jr. was a force of nature when it mattered most, and because of it, his draft stock surged.

Three months ago, CBS Sports didn’t have his name anywhere near the first round. Bleacher Report had him buried at 46th. Now? He’s a name worth knowing. Clayton has jumped into first-round conversations. And rightfully so.

What do I see when I watch the tape?

He’s patient and deceptive, with a natural feel for pace and space. His command of leverage allows him to slip past defenders with NBA-level body control, navigating traffic en route to the rim, where he finishes through contact and with either hand. His three-point shot is a genuine weapon, though his release could benefit from added fluidity. It’s a squared-up stroke reminiscent of Devin Booker’s early form at Kentucky, albeit with less elevation.

As a playmaker, he keeps his head up, scanning the floor for passing windows and transition opportunities. Defensively, his active hands disrupt passing lanes and harass ball-handlers, constantly poking and prodding for an edge.

Jamaiil Hines of No Ceilings had this to say about Clayton prior to the tournament:

For whatever reason, it seems like Walter Clayton Jr. doesn’t get mentioned enough amongst the top-tier shooting prospects in this class. He’s a lethal shooter whose three-point shooting and floor spacing will allow him to be an immediate contributor for any NBA team.

Whether it’s as a primary or secondary ball-handler/initiator, all NBA guards must be able to comfortably operate pick-and-rolls for scoring and playmaking opportunities. Ranking in the 74th percentile in points per possession as the pick-and-roll handler (via Synergy), Clayton Jr. is a quality ball-screen operator who wins with his craft, strength, creative handle, burst, and multi-level shotmaking.

With any offensively oriented/titled prospect, it’s about doing enough defensively to stay on the floor and Clayton Jr. can certainly do that thanks to his defensive playmaking (career 1.8 stocks per game).

He does a solid job of leveraging his physicality, quick hands, and adequate length to get stops and be disruptive both on and off the ball. While he might not ever develop into a plus defender, the tools and production are there to envision at least a net neutral defender with some upside.

At this point, his landing spot is a wide net.

And here’s where I remind everyone that I am not a draft scout. I’m not someone who claims to identify talent particularly well. I’m too jaded, too stubborn, and it’s just not my lane. I struggle with how aspects of the college game translate to the pros. But still, I’ll give my two cents on Clayton.

I liked what I saw from him during the tournament last year. The guy’s got ice water in his veins. He led his team to a championship. Those intangibles? They’re real. They matter. But from a purely evaluative standpoint, I don’t know how good he’s going to be at the next level.

He’s not especially quick. He’s a little undersized. And while he’s more of a combo guard than a true point, I do think that distinction matters in the NBA. That said, he does remind me a little of Jamal Murray. And if you can get that kind of player at this point in the draft, you sprint to the podium.

But from a purely deliverable standpoint, factoring in his physical limitations, I’ve got my doubts.

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