The 6-foot-3 Clayton, an Associated Press first-team All-American who started his career under Rick Pitino at Iona, is averaging 24.6 points through the five NCAA games, with his 123 points standing 18 more than Duke star freshman and AP national player of the year Cooper Flagg as the next-closest player.

Florida will be leaning on NBA hopeful Walter Clayton Jr. as the Gators seek their first hoops title in almost 20 years.

It is safe to say now that Florida’s Walter Clayton, Jr., has become “Mr. Clutch” in the NCAA Tournament. Clayton, who led Bartow High to consecutive boys' basketball state championships in 2020-21, pumped in a career-high 34 points on Saturday to rally the Gators past No.