Florida Gators basketball sensation Walter Clayton Jr. has been making headlines with his exceptional on-court performance. He led the team to the championship game in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
Behind his rising star status is a love story that began in middle school hallways and has blossomed into a family unit built on unwavering support and commitment.
A Middle School Romance That Withstood the Test of Time
While fans celebrate Clayton’s athletic achievements, including his First Team All-American honors, his personal life centers around his longtime girlfriend, Tatiyana Burney. The couple’s journey from childhood sweethearts to parents showcases a relationship that has weathered distance, demanding schedules, and the pressures of growing fame.
Clayton and Tatiyana Burney’s relationship started in their middle school years in Lake Wales, Florida. Their bond transcended typical teenage dynamics with Walter’s mother Cherie Quarg, noting that Tatiyana “never got caught up in any high school drama” and seamlessly integrated into their family.
The couple faced their first big challenge when Clayton attended Iona University in New York, which created a 1,200-mile separation. Despite the distance, their relationship remained strong, demonstrating a commitment that surpassed geographical barriers and the typical pitfalls of young romance.
Walter’s transfer to the University of Florida in 2023 brought the couple back together physically, enabling them to solidify their foundation in Gainesville.
Her nurturing nature has been pivotal in Walter’s achievement. Cherie Quarg notes that she “lets him kind of be him,” which has enabled him to stay focused on his sporting ambitions.
Balancing Basketball Stardom and Parenthood
The couple welcomed their daughter, Leilani Leigh Clayton, on December 11, 2023, in Lakeland, Florida. Weighing 6 pounds, 7 ounces at birth, Leilani immediately became Walter’s “new why,” as he expressed in an Instagram post, adding profound motivation to his basketball career.
She has fully accepted motherhood, assuming the primary caregiving role and supporting Walter’s hectic schedule. Her commitment enabled her to mark Leilani’s first birthday in December 2024 with a Facebook post that recognized the challenges and joys of motherhood.
The family manages to spend quality time together despite Walter’s basketball commitments. Activities like bowling have become cherished moments for the young family, providing balance to Walter’s high-pressure career and establishing normalcy amid growing public attention.
Burney’s commitment has included relocating to Gainesville to keep the family unit intact and making efforts to travel with Leilani so Walter could spend time with them. Her support has been instrumental in Walter’s decision-making, including his choice to return for his senior season rather than enter the 2024 NBA Draft early.
KEEP READING: Top 10 NIL Deals in Men’s College Basketball
As Calyton Jr. prepares for the 2025 NBA Draft, where he’s projected as a potential pick, Tatiyana and Leilani remain central to his aspirations. His goal of creating generational wealth reflects a future-focused mindset that places family at its core, with Tatiyana as his steadfast partner in this journey toward long-term stability and success.
The couple’s story represents more than just a basketball player dating his hometown sweetheart. Rather, it’s a testament to growth, mutual support, and shared purpose.
As Walter’s star continues to rise, Tatiyana stands not in his shadow but beside him, co-creating a foundation for their daughter’s future while honoring the bond that began in a small Florida town years ago.
Don’t miss a moment of March Madness! Download your 2025 NCAA Tournament printable bracket and stay on top of every game, matchup, and Cinderella story. Get yours now!
