Gators star Walter Clayton Jr., who transferred to Florida after starting at Iona, gives NIL and portal advice

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Walter Clayton Jr. lived the dream of every college basketball player Monday night, becoming a national champion with his Florida Gators. 

But when Clayton was coming out of Bartow High School in Florida, he was trying to choose between playing football or basketball in college. He had offers from the Gators, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Nebraska and West Virginia to play football, but he eventually chose basketball and followed Rick Pitino to Iona. 

After two seasons and Pitino taking the St. John’s job, Clayton transferred to Todd Golden’s program in Gainesville for the 2023-24 campaign. Two years later, the Gators are back on top with a 65-63 national title win over the Houston Cougars. 

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Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. celebrates after winning the 2025 national championship game at the Alamodome. (Bob Donnan/Imagn Images)

The transfer portal, as well as name, image and likeness opportunities, have allowed star college athletes in mid-major schools to move on to big-time programs with the chance of playing right away, building their personal brand on and off the court. 

Clayton is just one of many examples, and he had advice for future athletes who could be in the same situation as he was before that 2023-24 season, making a decision that changed his life.

"The only advice I can really give is keep working and trust your work," Clayton told Fox News Digital while working a celebratory "shift" at Raising Cane’s alongside Gators teammates Alijah Martin and Thomas Haugh in Gainesville. 

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