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5 hours ago
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Walter Clayton Jr. stole the stage during the NCAA Tournament, much like Stephen Curry once did.
And while it'd be unwise to make direct comparisons to the greatest shooter of all time, Clayton does have a lot in common with Curry.
He's not expected to go as high in the NBA Draft as Curry did out of Davidson (No. 7), but Clayton has the chance to make an impact in the NBA.
Walter Clayton vs. Steph Curry college stats
Clayton put together an impressive college career, split between Iona and Florida. Curry was a star at Davidson.
Curry's stats blow Clayton out of the water, though.
In his final college season, Curry averaged 28.6 points and 5.6 assists per game. He shot 38.7% from 3-point range.
This past winter, Clayton averaged 18.3 points and 4.2 assists per game while making 38.6% of his 3s.
Clayton may have been asked to do more if he had remained at a mid-major like Curry, and at least that shooting percentage aligns favorably.
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How old is Walter Clayton Jr.?
Walter Clayton Jr. is 22 years old.
He played four seasons of college basketball, two with Iona and two with Florida.
Curry was 21 when he was drafted after three seasons at Davidson.
How tall is Walter Clayton Jr.?
Walter Clayton Jr. is listed at 6-foot-3.
Curry is listed at 6-foot-2.
Clayton is also much sturdier than Curry was at the time of his draft. Clayton could've been a Division I college football player but chose basketball instead.
Where did Walter Clayton Jr. begin his college career?
Walter Clayton Jr. played for Rick Pitino at Iona in the MAAC for two seasons before transferring to Florida.
It's a part of his journey that points to how things may have been different for Curry in the modern era.
If Curry had put together his massive NCAA Tournament run in his second season at Davidson in 2025, he very possibly would've transferred for a remarkable sum of money.
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Walter Clayton Jr. NBA projection
Of course, it's unlikely that Walter Clayton Jr., or any player in this draft, ends up resembling Curry in the NBA.
But the fact that Clayton has some things in common with Curry works in his favor. Curry has paved the way for smaller guards who can shoot to make their way into the league.
Clayton is a tenacious defender with ball-handling and shooting ability. It's a combination that could certainly serve him well for a decade or more in the NBA.
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