Walter Clayton Jr. was once a promising football prospect, receiving offers from top programs like Florida, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Nebraska, and West Virginia. However, despite his talent on the gridiron, Clayton made a bold decision—he walked away from football to pursue basketball.
His choice paid off, as he became a standout player for the Florida Gators, leading them to an NCAA championship and earning national recognition. But we didn’t know why he made that unexpected sports transition—until now.
Walter Clayton Jr. Opens Up on Leaving Football
In a recent discussion on “The DEEP 3,” Walter Clayton Jr. opened up about why he quit football, revealing that his passion for the sport simply wasn’t there. He was asked, “Do you have a moment that made you stop playing football?”
His response was pretty straightforward—he hated football practices. He said, “Yeah. Every day. I hated practice, bro. I hated going out there. I just enjoyed practicing basketball more. Football practice—I go out there, sit on the side, and drink my water. I was chilling. Coach be like, ‘He’s taking mental reps. He’ll be all right.'”
It was clear that football never sparked the same passion in him that basketball did. But that wasn’t an easy choice. After transferring to Bartow High School, he had to give basketball his full focus. That decision paid off. He became one of Florida’s top high school players and helped lead his team to back-to-back Class 6A state championships.
Clayton then took his talents to Iona, where he grew as a star before transferring to Florida. In 2023, he was named MAAC Player of the Year, averaging 16.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. Across 100 collegiate appearances, he has scored 1,404 points, proving his scoring consistency at the highest level.
By the 2024-25 season, Clayton had elevated his game even further. He led the Florida Gators to a national championship, putting up 18.3 points per game and hitting 38.6% of his shots from beyond the arc.
Now, Clayton is preparing for the next step of his career as he enters the 2025 NBA Draft, where he is projected to be a first-round pick. It will be interesting to see where he ultimately lands.
KEEP READING: Jon Scheyer and Jon Calipari’s Woes Highlighted as Insiders Name ‘Big Losers’ from NBA Draft Withdrawal
Currently, Kawhi Leonard’s Clippers are the ones consistently keeping an eye on him, according to some mock draft projections. He’s actually sliding through multiple spots.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and baseball!
