"Found out I have a daughter on the way": Walter Clayton Jr reveals why he didn't follow Rick Pitino to St John's and went to Florida instead

Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr said it was a family decision to return to his home state and play with the Gators instead of transferring to St. John's and joining Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino.

The 6-foot-3 Lake Wales native played two seasons with Iona and broke out during his sophomore year. After the 2022-23 season, Pitino left the Gaels for St. John's, while Clayton decided to go back to Florida in the 2023-24 season for family reasons.

Clayton, a key contributor in Florida's national championship conquest this season, told ESPN's First Take hosts Courtney Cronin and Evan Cohen that he found out he was going to be a father to a baby daughter.

"There was some family connections as far as coming home," Clayton said (Timestamp 2:10). "Obviously, it was a new (coaching) staff at Florida so gave 'em a chance. I went down there. (It) was a great visit, found out I had a daughter on the way."

Walter Clayton Jr admitted it was tough to pick between the family he built in New York and his real family in Florida, but in the end, he decided to be on his daughter's side.

"So that was kind of a big part of the decision. It was really tough picking between basically two families — the family I built up here (in New York) and my family back home, but ultimately I decided to go back to Florida," he said (Timestamp 2:20).

Clayton's decision to return to Florida yielded rewards as he led the Gators to a 65-63 win over Houston in the title game.

---

Walter Clayton Jr improves NBA draft stock after March Madness run

Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr's draft stock improved significantly following his performances in March Madness.

According to USA Today, Clayton recorded the most 3-pointers beyond 25 feet (12) and the most unassisted 3-pointers (nine) during the NCAA Tournament.

The Florida star also tallied the highest combined field goals made on 3-pointers and at the rim with 39. He also drew 21 shooting fouls and made five 3-point plays.

Those numbers have NBA draft experts projecting him as a first-round choice despite skepticism surrounding undersized upperclassmen who performed well in March Madness.