Clayton’s move to point might be most integral piece to Gator championship puzzle

Walter Clayton, Jr.’s move to point guard and primary ball handler may be decision that wins Florida a national championship. (Photo by USA Today Sports Images)

SAN ANTONIO — Walter Clayton, Jr. has made a recurring theme of being the focal point whenever he is on the floor.

Whether it is at the top of opposing teams’ scouting reports, or simply as the man entrusted to get a bucket or find someone else who will, the Iona transfer has relished his status as Florida’s primary ball handler. And as the Gators play for a national championship in less than 24 hours, the decision by head coach Todd Golden to give Clayton the keys to the car, so to speak, was not only well thought out, but also one that was earned by how well his young charge got his teammates involved.

“(Golden) just told me he was gonna put some trust in me to have the ball in my hands a little more with (Zyon Pullin) leaving this past year,” Clayton said. “I’ve played point guard before, I’ve had the ball in my hands. It was smooth, I was confident. These guys around me helped me be confident in that move also.”

“He did a really nice job for us off the ball last year playing with Zyon Pullin, being a secondary handler (and) playmaker,” Golden added. “We saw some really great examples of his ability to make plays out of the ball screen. Watching him play pickup, pushing the ball in transition, he showed to us and proved that he could become the primary ball handler.”

When helping lead Iona to the NCAA Tournament two years ago, Clayton—the player of the year in the MAAC as a sophomore—paired with Daniss Jenkins in the Gaels’ backcourt, with his skill development expedited by head coach Rick Pitino’s meticulous individual workouts. Clayton’s conditioning was never a question when he arrived in Gainesville, and Golden credits his decision to test the NBA Draft waters last year and go through the workout process as a major factor in his latest ascension.

“I think the conditioning part was a huge key,” Golden remarked. “Going to get NBA workouts last spring and summer, I think, was really big for him too, to be able to get some good feedback from six or seven NBA teams. It really motivated him.”

“I think he’s done an incredible job of getting himself in great shape. Having someone that’s such an elite threat to score with the ball in his hands at all times obviously makes everybody else so dangerous as well.”

Florida’s multiple comebacks in the NCAA Tournament have defined one of the more memorable runs through March Madness in recent years. The Gators trailed in the second half of three of their last four games, against UConn, Texas Tech and Auburn. With 4:30 remaining in regulation in each of the latter two games, Florida was on the short end of the scoreboard. From that stretch until the final buzzer, each of the Gators’ nine made field goals have Clayton’s imprint on them, as he has scored or assisted on every such attempt.

As Florida has gone, so too has Clayton. And it has become clear that he is not ready to go, not yet, not without a trophy to take back to The Swamp.

“A lot of questions were asked last summer and this fall if we would have enough ball handling on this team, enough playmaking,” Golden recalled. “Obviously, Walter has quieted those concerns and led us to the national championship game.”

“He was a good, hard worker prior, but I feel like after he got back from the combine, it was like he wasn’t going to be denied. He just really raised the bar in terms of his work ethic. He hasn’t been perfect all year, but he’s been pretty damn good over these last couple months. I’m just really happy for him.”