The Florida Gators have been riding a wave of success this season, and with momentum by their side, they this time look to fill their kitty after a long, long pause. This season has to be one of their most electrifying campaigns in recent memory, and at the center of it all is senior guard Walton Clayton Jr.—the spark, the steady hand, and the soul of this squad. Averaging 18.5 points and 4.1 assists per game, Clayton has been the Gators’ go-to guy in every clutch moment, orchestrating an offense that’s put up a blistering 85 points per night. The best part? His deep-range shooting and fearless leadership have earned him comparisons to Steph Curry, and his story—transferring from Iona to lead Florida to a 35–4 record and a national championship appearance—feels like a dream as they play the Houston Cougars in the finals.

But while Clayton is locked in on leading Florida toward a championship, there’s something—scratch that—someone he loves even more than the game. His daughter. That’s right. Clayton, who started his college career at Iona, transferred to the University of Florida for his senior year, not just for basketball but to be closer to his newborn daughter and family. So, if you’re wondering…  

Is Walton Clayton Jr. married?  

No, he’s not married. But he does have a beautiful little family with his longtime girlfriend, Tatiyana Burney. These two go way back—middle school sweethearts! They grew up together. And she just…gets him. In Clayton’s mom, Cherie’s words, “She lets him kind of be him.” According to her, she [Tatiyana] knows he is busy with his sports and has always prioritized it. She was never involved in high school drama and naturally blended in with their family.

And what’s the most beautiful thing to come out of their journey together?

In December 2023, they welcomed their daughter, Leilani Leigh Clayton—a milestone that changed everything. Becoming a father inspired Walter to transfer to the University of Florida, allowing him to stay close to Tatiyana and be present for Leilani’s early moments, proving once again that his greatest assist isn’t on the court—it’s at home.

Meet Walter Clayton Jr.’s daughter

As we get a glimpse of the little cutie, let’s hear what Clayton has to say. Clayton calls her his “new why.” In an Instagram post, he made it clear that she’s his biggest motivation. “She is depending on me to provide for her,” he said. “I’m still kind of figuring out the whole father thing… just being there as much as I possibly can.” And if you think basketball has helped him grow, fatherhood is taking it to another level. “I definitely think [Leilani’s birth] helped maturity-wise… me and Leilani [are] kind of growing together right now.”  

The wait is over! Here’s the princess!

Safe to say, Clayton is playing for way more than just wins; he’s playing for his little girl.

And his coach couldn’t be more appreciative of how his player is managing it all. He knows Clayton Jr. has had a lot on his plate. Talking to Sporting News, Florida’s head coach, Todd Golden, pointed out how tough it is for a young player to juggle everything—returning to college, finishing his career, switching from a two-guard to the primary ball handler, and becoming a dad. That’s a lot.

“Not only that, but take pride in it. It speaks to his maturity and his toughness both mentally and physically that he’s been able to navigate this year so well,” the head coach added. And honestly, since day one, he’s been making sure his family is always good, as his girlfriend put it.

When Walter Clayton Jr. took up fatherhood with heart

When Walter Clayton Jr. finally stepped into fatherhood, life came at him fast. One minute, he was grinding through college hoops, chasing that NBA dream, and the next…he’s got a tiny human looking up at him, depending on him. And he’s handling it like a pro.

His girlfriend has been by his side since middle school. But when the baller started his college career at Iona University in upstate New York, the two weren’t exactly within walking distance. Between the relentless D-I schedule, endless practices, and schoolwork, time management wasn’t exactly his strong suit.

Growing up, his world revolved around sports and video games. And from day one, his sights were locked on the NBA. The problem was the road there is brutal—only 1.2% of NCAA men’s basketball players make it. Distractions? Oh, there were plenty. And that’s exactly what his mom was worried about.

“I didn’t want anything, whether it’s a girl, whether it’s a baby, whether it’s anything, I didn’t want everything that he worked so hard for to kind of crumble,” she admitted. And that’s why she’s beyond grateful for Burney, who, instead of being a distraction, pushed the 21-year-old to be better.

Last year, Clayton Jr. was almost drafted for the NBA Draft, testing the waters in April before deciding to hold off and return to Florida for his senior season. It was a chaotic offseason, but nothing—and I mean nothing—prepared him for the ultimate game-changer: fatherhood. 

When his daughter, Leilani, was born on Dec. 11, he had about 72 hours to soak it all in before he was back on the court. “We had a game in Lakeland right after [the birth],” the baller said. “So I was kind of already there. [It allowed me] to come back up here and play basketball.”

That’s also why transferring to Florida made all the sense in the world. It meant more time with family, and according to his mom, he’s finally getting the hang of balancing it all. His coaches and teammates have seen it too. Even he has felt it. “I definitely think [Leilani’s birth] helped maturity-wise,” he said. “I probably still got some more maturing to do, so me and Leilani [are] kind of growing together right now.”

Now, when he’s not lighting it up on the court, you’ll find him bowling with his girlfriend and daughter or just hanging out with family. But don’t get it twisted. He is a family man, but his NBA dream is still very much alive. 

With scouts keeping an eye on him, averaging 17.7 points and 3.7 rebounds, he’s projected to go in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft. Moreover, now, making it to the league isn’t just about the fame or the money; it’s about setting up a future. And while an NBA contract would be life-changing, at the end of the day, his biggest motivation isn’t the millions—it’s the tiny girl who calls him Dad.