“He’s just a winner.” That’s how one Boston Celtics legend described Walter Clayton Jr. after the Florida Gators’ thrilling 65-63 victory over Houston in the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship. And no, this wasn’t just some throwaway compliment. The player giving it away? He fully expects to face Clayton in the NBA next season.

That’s right—Al Horford, one of the most respected voices in Boston and a Gators alum himself, went all-in on the 22-year-old guard following Florida’s third national title. “I know that I’m going to be playing against him next year in the pros… maybe he’ll be with us,” Horford said with a grin, half-joking but half-dreaming. “But I’m sure he’ll be playing in the NBA.”

And honestly? After what we saw on April 7 at the Alamodome, it’s hard to argue.

If you just checked the box score at halftime, you probably thought Walter Clayton Jr. had been benched. Zero points. 0-for-6 shooting. Three turnovers. Not exactly Most Outstanding Player material.

But second halves write legends—and Clayton authored a comeback.

In just the final stretch of the game, Clayton poured in all 11 of his points, tacked on 7 assists, and grabbed 5 rebounds. And the biggest moment? With Florida clinging to a 65-63 lead and Houston’s Emanuel Sharp looking to play hero, Clayton locked in, applied full-court pressure, and forced a game-sealing turnover with just seconds remaining. “He understood they were going to double him,” Horford said admiringly. “He needed to get his guys involved… he’s just a smart player. A team player.”

And the stats across the tournament back it up: Clayton averaged 22.3 points, 3.3 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game, including a career-high 34 against Auburn in the Final Four. That kind of clutch gene doesn’t stay in college for long.

This Gators squad didn’t just win—they survived. This was Florida’s third straight comeback win in the tournament, with Alijah Martin’s clutch free throws and Will Richard’s 18 points helping keep things afloat.

But Gainesville? Electric.“I’m sure it’s wild,” Horford laughed when asked about the celebrations back home. “This is a special time.”

It’s even more special considering this was head coach Todd Golden’s first national championship—and he did it at just 39 years old. That makes him the youngest coach to win it all since 1983. Let that sink in.

Meanwhile, In Boston: A Massive Change Looming?

While Horford was basking in glory (and dreaming of a future teammate), the franchise he’s still part of is staring at a monster financial crossroads.

Reports suggest the $6.1 billion Boston Celtics are likely to make a major roster shake-up this offseason. Why? They’re rapidly approaching the NBA’s second luxury tax apron, which isn’t just a money problem—it’s a flexibility problem. Translation: high-salary players may be on the move.

The spotlight is firmly on Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. Porzingis, who’s entering the final year of his deal with a $30.7M cap hit, could be the odd man out. Holiday, meanwhile, is locked into a four-year, $134.4M extension and has a $32.4M hit next season.

And guess what? Some insiders are already pointing fingers.

“They’re going to have to trade some guys at some point,” an anonymous cap expert told The Stein Line. NBA analyst Brian Scalabrine went further, saying Porzingis might be the more likely piece to go due to his injury history—and because the team has found ways to win without him.

So while Horford may want a guy like Clayton Jr. in green, the Celtics might soon be forced to clear the runway.

April 7 may go down as the night Walter Clayton Jr. became a household name—but it was also a night that sparked a whole new Celtics conversation. A future NBA rookie earned a glowing endorsement from one of the game’s classiest vets, while his potential future team faces tough questions about staying competitive and financially healthy.

Whatever comes next, one thing’s for sure: Walter Clayton Jr. is no longer flying under the radar. And if Horford’s instincts are right? The next time they meet might just be in the pros.