Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr. Draws Comparisons to Steph Curry Ahead of Sweet 16

SAN FRANCISCO — Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. is drawing high-profile comparisons as he prepares to lead his team into the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Maryland coach Kevin Willard likened Clayton to NBA superstar Steph Curry, saying, “He reminds me of Steph a little bit of how good he is off the dribble.”

The Gators, who are the No. 1 seed in the West Region, will face the fourth-seeded Maryland Terrapins on Thursday. Willard’s comments resonate particularly in the Chase Center, where numerous photos of Curry adorn the walls, showcasing his four championship wins with the Golden State Warriors.

Florida’s head coach Todd Golden acknowledged the comparison, which may seem ambitious to some. “Especially to people in the Bay, it might be crazy to compare him to Steph — he’s won a ton of championships and MVPs, but from a college version I think it’s applicable to say he’s similar to Steph,” Golden said. He noted aspects of Clayton’s game, including his off-balance shooting and confidence from long range, that parallel Curry’s style.

At 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, Clayton’s physical attributes are comparable to Curry’s, who stands at 6-2 and weighs 185. Both players excel at shooting in motion, a skill highly valued in the game of basketball. Despite the flattering comparison, Clayton expressed uncertainty about how closely he resembles someone as revered as Curry. “It’s flattering, but I’m not sure how much I’m like one of the greatest ever,” Clayton said.

This season, Clayton Jr. has averaged 17.9 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game while shooting 44.6 percent from the field. His performance has led to multiple All-America awards and he is a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award, which honors the best point guard in college basketball.

“He shoots the basketball going left 48 percent. He shoots it right going at, like, 38 percent,” Coach Willard added. “He grades better than any player they’ve ever had analytically in shooting the basketball off the dribble going right and left.” Insights from a scouting report indicate that defenders should be cautious when guarding Clayton Jr., as going under screens against him could be a mistake. This sentiment resonates with defenders who have faced Curry.

Other coaches have also highlighted Clayton Jr.’s skills, with UConn‘s Dan Hurley noting his quick release, comparing him to NBA guard Fred VanVleet, while Golden sees parallels with Jalen Brunson due to his playmaking abilities. “His ability to handle the ball and be a decision-maker is impressive,” Golden remarked.

Clayton’s journey to this stage has been noteworthy. Unlike most high-profile players, he initially pursued football as a safety and turned down numerous scholarship offers to focus on basketball, eventually landing at Iona before transferring to Florida. His success in the NCAA Tournament only adds to his profile as he prepares for the next challenge.

Teammate Alex Condon praised Clayton Jr. for his capability to take over games at crucial moments. This was evident in the Gators’ recent victory over UConn, where Clayton scored 13 of his 23 points in the final eight minutes. “He just went ballistic,” Condon said. “There’s no one else we’d rather have take the shot than Walt, so getting the ball in his hands at the right time is something I try to do down the stretch.”

Nevertheless, like many competitors, Clayton Jr. has a playful side, relishing in video games. Condon jokingly claimed to have defeated Clayton in NBA 2K, while Clayton insisted, “By far me,” when asked who is the best player on the team. “I’ve got a couple of excuses for my loss,” he added, referencing input lag and console differences.

As the Gators prepare for the Sweet 16, Clayton’s path and performances will remain in focus. Whether or not he can fulfill the comparisons to Curry, one thing is clear: Clayton Jr. has emerged as a player to watch in this year’s tournament.