Walter Clayton Jr. surveys the Auburn defense Saturday on his way to a career-high 34 points and berth in the national championship game Monday night.
SAN ANTONIO – Walter Clayton’s journey from standout to potentially one of the all-time greats at the University of Florida took an unexpected turn at a Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen in Lakeland, Florida.
That’s where Clayton chose to meet Kevin Hovde, UF’s assistant coach, during a summer visit in Polk County. Just 45 minutes from Clayton’s hometown of Lake Wales, the casual lunch spot became the setting for a pivotal moment. Hovde opened his laptop and walked Clayton through several offensive sets used by the New York Knicks to maximize the talents of NBA All-Star Jalen Brunson.
“Cheddar’s,” Hovde said. “Can you believe it?”
That conversation would later fuel a breakout performance—Clayton’s career-best 34-point explosion against Auburn in the Final Four—propelling the Gators (35-4) into the NCAA championship matchup against Houston (35-4).
“He showed me some stuff and we talked about some things he wanted to do with the offense,” Clayton said.
The focus: integrating Clayton’s elite scoring instincts more fluidly into his role as point guard.
UF assistant coach and offensive coordinator Kevin Hovde (right)
Walter Clayton was no stranger to the point guard role. He excelled at the position during his time at Lake Wales and Bartow High Schools in Central Florida, and later carried significant ball-handling duties across two seasons at Iona. There, he earned 2023 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors after leading the Gaels to both a league championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance, before transferring to the University of Florida.
Roughly six weeks after Clayton’s arrival in Gainesville, the Gators added another transfer: Zyon Pullin from California-Riverside. Pullin went on to earn first-team All-Southeastern Conference recognition in his lone season, ranking among the nation’s best in assist-to-turnover ratio. Clayton, meanwhile, became the team’s leading scorer, forming a dynamic backcourt duo.
The turning point came last summer. In a series of meetings, Kevin Hovde, Florida’s offensive coordinator, connected with former Gators head coach Billy Donovan, now with the Chicago Bulls. Donovan noted parallels between Clayton’s style and that of Jalen Brunson, the New York Knicks guard known for his scoring-first approach. He encouraged the staff to study Brunson’s film and adapt elements of his game for Clayton.
Hovde then asked Clayton to select a few of the actions he liked best, and they began tailoring the offense around them.
"The way Brunson plays, a lot of teams try to deny him because he's so good at getting into the paint and playing off two feet," Clayton said Sunday. "He's a point guard, but he's scoring a lot. He's getting off the ball – fire actions – and getting it right back with dribble handoffs. We watched a lot of film of ways he was scoring and getting open off dribble penetration. I liked that."
That adjustment has paid off. Clayton’s evolution has energized both his teammates and Gator Nation, but the ultimate test looms: a clash with Houston, the nation’s top defensive unit, in Monday night’s championship game.
"Think Tennessee, but better," said UF defensive coordinator John Andrzejek, referencing the Volunteers’ No. 3-ranked defense.
"A lot better."
The Cougars, winners of 31 of their last 32 contests, allow an NCAA-best 58.5 points per game and have limited all but four opponents to under 70 points in regulation. Their defensive scheme mirrors Tennessee’s aggressive style—blitzing ball screens and trapping ball-handlers—but executed with even greater efficiency, forcing turnovers on 21% of possessions.
Florida, averaging 85.3 points this season, thrives on ball-screen actions designed to free Clayton for shots or drives. The approach mirrors, in a simplified way, how the Knicks utilize Brunson. Clayton has delivered in the NCAA Tournament, averaging 24.6 points on 50% shooting, including 48.7% from three (39 attempts) and 90.4% from the free-throw line (42 attempts).
"Walt is going to get the most attention on the scout," said assistant coach and director of player development Taurean Green, who previously worked with Donovan at the Bulls and studied the Knicks closely. "New York does a great job of getting Brunson off the ball and getting him back on the ball. I think it's a great comparison. Similar size and as far as being crafty and being able to get his shot off. In that way, Walt has been elite."
Generational, in fact.
Walter Clayton Jr. (1) to the bucket for a lay-in against Auburn.
"Incredibly physical. They consistently put two on the ball and will try to make it a football game and a war on the glass for every rebound, every loose ball, every hustle play and winning play," said Jonathan Safir, UF’s director of basketball strategy and analytics. "They are going to try to force the ball out of Walt's hands and make other people be decision-makers."
Assistant coach Kevin Hovde added:
To overcome Houston, Clayton will need strong support from backcourt partners Alijah Martin and Will Richard, along with contributions from the rotating frontcourt group tasked with creating space, moving constantly, and resetting the offense when needed.
"We can't just run away and roll to the basket," junior center Micah Handlogten explained. "We actually have to go help him."
Email senior writer Chris Harry at chrish@gators.ufl.edu
