“Ankle’s fine now. The training team did a good job just all week being in there with me. So no surprises.” A statement just before the 2025 NCAA Division I Tournament from Walter Clayton Jr. gave a sigh of relief to Florida Gators fans. And his performances in the big dance proved all of them right – even Walter.

Pair of 23 points in the opening two rounds against Spartans and UConn Huskies respectively, 13 points against Terrapins in Sweet Sixteen, and 30 against Texas Tech Red Raiders in Elite Eight. The star guard stunned like no other Gator in the 2025 March Madness. From a strong regular season to eliminating defending champions with clutch plays and then leading the Florida Gators to the Final Four, for the first time since 2014 – a season to remember and cherish for Walter Clayton Jr.

The Gators’ guard gave fans at the Chase Center a familiar feeling, scoring 30 points in the comeback win over Texas. “Just like the Warriors want Steph taking those final shots, we want Walt taking the final shots, too,” said Florida coach Todd Golden after the game.

Walter Clayton Jr’s steady career took a big boost since the birth of his first child, Leilani. But winning the SEC tourney, MVP award, and the First team All-American selections; all accolades came after his daughter’s birth. Initially, his parents played a major role in igniting love for basketball and his gradual development. Check out more about Walter Clayton Jr.’s parents.

Who is Walter Clayton Jr’s father Walter Clayton Sr? Was he a professional basketball player?

The Florida-born star has athletic genes. His father, Walter Clayton Sr was a multi-sport athlete, excelling in both basketball and football. Walter Jr also played football and basketball in his high school days and eventually chose the latter as his profession.

In the interview with ‘the Orlando Sentinel’, Clayton Jr.’s mother recalled the Gators star’s early years in basketball and how his father took him to a community court sparked his initial interest in the game. “They had a community court in their neighbourhood.” She said. “His dad would go in on him down there. People would come and sit and watch them go head-to-head with each other.”

Who is Walter Clayton Jr’s mother?

Cherie Quarg is Walter Clayton Jr’s mother. Just like her husband, Cherie also has connections with sports. She played softball and basketball in high school and was instrumental in instilling high-level work ethics in Walter Jr. Apart from this, there is not much information available about his mother in the public domain. But she and Walter Clayton Sr. have played a huge role throughout the guard’s life.

It was Cherie Quard who would encourage her son to stay closer home when he decided to switch to basketball from football in the last two years of high school. The whole family has been supportive throughout that process, eventually coming to attend his college games in dozens. The bond was evident further when Clayton decided to move from Lake Wales to Gainesville, Fla., so that they could be closer to family. The Gator had withdrawn from following Rick Pitino to St. John’s for this very reason. Now a father himself, Clayton uses it as a motivation to fuel his performance.