The Utah Jazz traded up three spots in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft, with the Washington Wizards, to select star Florida Gators guard and reigning Consensus First-Team All-American Walter Clayton Jr. at No. 18 overall.
Clayton on Wednesday became Florida's first first-round NBA Draft pick since former Gators guard Tre Mann was selected No. 18 overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2021.
The 6-foot-2, 199-pound Clayton averaged a single-season career-high 18.3 points per game while shooting 44.8 percent from the field and 38.6 percent from three-point range during his final season at Florida, adding 4.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals per matchup. His 713 points in 2025 are a UF record.
In addition to his All-American recognition, Clayton earned the NCAA's Final Four Most Outstanding Player award and the Southeastern Conference Tournament's Most Valuable Player honor this past season.
A Lake Wales, Fla. native, the 22-year-old Clayton began his college career at Iona for two seasons, before transferring to Florida ahead of the 2023-24 campaign. He shot 44.4 percent overall and 38.6 percent from three in 139 career appearances, averaging 15.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.2 steals over 27.8 minutes played per contest.
Clayton converted 87.9 percent of his free-throw attempts, including a career-best and Division 1-leading 95.3 percent from the charity stripe as a sophomore with the Gaels in 2022-23.
Utah is sending its No. 21 and No. 43 (second round) overall picks in this year's draft, and two future second-round selections, to Washington in exchange for Clayton, per Shams Charania of ESPN. Before taking Clayton, the Jazz picked Rutgers guard Ace Bailey at No. 5 overall.
Find notable social media reactions to Clayton's 2025 NBA Draft selection below.