Florida's Walter Clayton Jr. completes improbable journey from high school football to Iona to NBA

Walter Clayton Jr. didn't hold back the tears.

When the Utah Jazz picked him with the No. 18 overall pick in Wednesday night's NBA Draft first round, the ESPN broadcast showed him on his cell phone getting the news. And the Florida superstar and national champion was bawling his eyes out.

Rightfully so.

It had been quite the journey to this point.

Clayton was supposed to be a college football player. That's what he was highly recruited for, to be a Division I free safety.

But midway through high school, he quit football. He loved basketball. He was going to go as far as that orange ball took him.

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He didn't get D-I interest until Iona coach Rick Pitino saw him on a Zoom tournament stream during COVID-19.

So that was Clayton's shot, a spot with the Hall of Fame coach at a tiny college in New York that competes in the MAAC.

After two seasons, he had done enough to move up to the SEC with Florida.

And after two years and a natty with the Gators, Clayton is in the NBA.

His choice paid off. His dream has arrived.

And now Clayton will set out on proving, once again, that he belongs.

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