Utah adds All-American Walter Clayton Jr. from Florida.
(Adam Hunger | AP) Walter Clayton Jr. is greeted by the NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, after being selected 18th in the first round of the NBA draft, Wednesday June 25, 2025 in New York.
Utah jazz capitalized when one of the The most talented perspectives of the draft fell in the fifth choice earlier in the night.
But to add to their transport in the first round, jazz also made its own chance.
Utah exchanged from n ° 21 to n ° 18 to obtain Walter Clayton Jr. in Florida. He will play alongside Former Rutgers goalkeeper Ace Bailey next season.
Clayton led the Gators to a national championship while playing in the NCAA tournament. He has an average of 18 points per match and pulled more than 38% out of three. He had several 30 points games in March, including 34 points in the Final Four against Auburn.
Clayton did not visit UTAH in the pre-project process but was not surprised to have landed with jazz.
“I knew it was a possibility,” said Clayton. “We had a few conversations after being drafted tonight. They love my skills. They think I can bring something great for the team. ”
Jazz exchanged the 21st choice and several choices of the second round to go up, including the 43rd choice of Utah this year, According to NBA Insider Zach Lowe.
Clayton, a 6 -foot 2 -inch goalkeeper, knows that he can improve his decision -making.
“Researchs for sure,” said Clayton about what he can improve. He has on average more than two per games each of the last two years.
But Clayton was a dynamic scorer at the university, both as a shooter and finisher around the edge.
