Clayton earned MAAC Player of the Year honors in 2022-23
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida has signed Lake Wales, Fla., native Walter Clayton Jr., head coach Todd Golden announced on Tuesday.
As a sophomore at Iona, the 6-foot-2 guard earned 2022-23 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Player of the Year honors with 16.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game and a .431 3-point field goal percentage.
“Walter Clayton is a proven winner and someone who will immediately raise the bar within our program,” Golden said. “He has a great attitude and mentality that will certainly be contagious for all. He grew up with Florida being his dream school, and now he gets to come home and wear the Orange and Blue in the O’Dome. I am excited to see what he is able to achieve as a Gator.”
Clayton, who was also a unanimous first-team All-MAAC selection, led Iona to an NCAA Tournament appearance on the heels of regular season and conference tournament championships. Clayton averaged 20.0 points per game in the 2023 MAAC Tournament.
Clayton helped Bartow High School to a 31-1 record and a Class 6A state championship in 2019-20, averaging 15.4 points, 4.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals.
Walter Clayton Jr.
G | 6-2 | 195 | Junior| Lake Wales, Fla. | Iona | Bartow HS
- Earned Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Player of the Year and unanimous first-team All-MAAC honors as a sophomore in 2022-23.
- Averaged 16.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.3 3-pointers per game with a .431 3-point field goal percentage last season.
- Has totaled 771 points, 207 rebounds, 154 assists, 83 steals and 30 blocked shots in 64 games with 35 starts over two seasons at Iona.
- Has two double-doubles, 37 double-figure scoring games and 13 games with 20+ points, including a career-high 30 points at Niagara (2/12/23).
