Former Florida basketball star guard Walter Clayton Jr. is headed to Miami — at least in The Athletic’s latest 2025 NBA mock draft.
The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie projects the Miami Heat to select Clayton with the 20th overall pick, recognizing the guard’s explosive NCAA Tournament run and elite scoring pedigree.
Clayton, one of the fastest risers in the draft conversation, earned Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors after leading the Gators to a national title. The 6-foot-3-inch guard averaged 18.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists this season; he also shot 44.8% from the field and 38.6% from three-point range.
Vecenie praised Clayton’s shot creation and toughness, noting his “truly special” ability to score from all angles. His skill set makes him a fit for Miami’s offense, which often thrives on spacing and perimeter production.
If this projection holds, it would mark yet another major milestone in Clayton’s decorated basketball career. From Iona transfer to SEC star and now a projected first round pick, Clayton’s ascent continues–and Miami could be where the next chapter begins.
Here is everything Vecenie wrote about Clayton.
What The Athletic said about Clayton
20. Miami Heat (via GSW): Walter Clayton Jr., Guard
“Clayton is this year’s big NCAA Tournament riser. The Florida guard was the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament. He averaged 18 points and four assists this year while shooting 45 percent from the field, 39% from 3 and 88% from the line. But more than that, the level of shot-making that Clayton can showcase at times is truly special.
“He can get to his shot from any footwork or any angle on the court, especially from distance. He’s comfortable using a change-of-pace dribble to get to a stepback, and then can also attack and drive off that to score around the rim. He’s a former high school quarterback and has real athleticism out there. The questions for me are twofold. First, his ball-screen reads weren’t always on point.
“He was terrific against Houston in the championship game, but the picture often looked a bit cloudy in terms of his decision-making. Then, on defense, the real question is if he’s a bit too far in-between positions. He got better this year as a senior but wasn’t always reliable throughout his college career. That’s concerning for an older, undersized player. Still, teams love Clayton’s toughness, and I would expect to hear his name called in the first round.”
The Athletic’s 2025 NBA mock draft top 10
- Washington Wizards: Cooper Flagg (Duke Blue Devils)
- Utah Jazz: Dylan Harper (Rutgers Scarlet Knights)
- Portland Trail Blazers: Tre Johnson (Texas Longhorns)
- New Orleans Pelicans: V.J. Edgecombe (Baylor Bears)
- Charlotte Hornets: Ace Bailey (Rutgers Scarlet Knights)
- Philadelphia 76ers: Kon Knueppel (Duke Blue Devils)
- Brooklyn Nets: Kasparas Jakučionis (llinois Fighting Illinis)
- Toronto Raptors: Derik Queen (Maryland Terrapins)
- San Antonio Spurs: Carter Bryant (Arizona Wildcats)
- Houston Rockets (via PHX): Collin Murray-Boyles (South Carolina Gamecocks)
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