University of Florida Gators — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Gregory Reed
The Florida Gators won their third National Championship on the hardcourt this past Monday night, capping off the collegiate basketball season. During March Madness, the Gators pulled off a number of comeback victories, but they left the most spectacular one for last. In the National Championship game against the Houston Cougars, the Gators fell behind by 12 points but rallied late to win 65-63.
The NBA regular season is coming to an end this week, and the postseason will pick up speed after that. Two Florida Gators were selected in the first round of the most recent NBA Mock Draft, which was created by ESPN draft experts Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo. The 2025 NBA Draft is scheduled for June 25–26.
It should be mentioned that ESPN’s BPI forecast produced the first- and second-round order for clubs while assembling the most recent Mock. This model forecasts the performance of all 30 NBA teams for the remainder of the current season. Picks owned and owed through trades are reflected in the draft order as of April 7. Field goal percentage, 3-point shooting, and free throw shooting are all combined into one catch-all figure called true shooting percentage (TS%).
Senior point guard Walter Clayton Jr., selected by the Boston Celtics at No. 28, is the first Gator predicted to be selected in ESPN’s most recent NBA Mock Draft.
Clayton’s impressive postseason run is credited with propelling him into the first round of the most recent mock draft, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony’s scouting report.
“Clayton helped his standing significantly in the NCAA tournament, posting an efficient 30 and 34 points in the Elite Eight and national championship semifinals, before struggling in the final but still helping his team cut down the nets,” said Givony. “The 6-4 guard’s outstanding shotmaking ability and all-around scoring earned him a spot on the first team of the American Basketball Association. Throughout the season, he made clutch plays and caused havoc for opposing defenses with his speed and unpredictable style. Because Clayton can make mistakes on both ends of the court and lacks exceptional physical tools due to his average size, length, and strength, NBA teams have concerns about his defense, passing, and feel for the game. Scouts are comparing his NCAA tournament performance with Shabazz Napier’s a decade ago, which similarly won him a berth in the late first round, but Clayton is taller and more explosive, but also a touch more erratic.”
Alex Condon, a sophomore forward/center, was another Florida Gator who was already receiving first-round NBA Draft attention prior to the postseason. In the updated mock draft by ESPN, Condon is projected to be selected with the No. 29 pick by the Phoenix Suns in a first round trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Condon had struggles during the postseason, so he will have a decision to make on if he will test the draft or return to college for another year.
“Condon didn’t have the best NCAA tournament,” Givony remarked. He struggled occasionally with his lack of offensive polish and the physicality of some of the larger frontcourts he faced, and he was limited by an ankle injury. Nevertheless, his relentless intensity and the way he passes and fills gaps defensively off the ball demonstrated his exceptional feel for the game. He ultimately helped Florida win the national championship, making some important plays in timely moments. He will need to evaluate the option of returning for his junior season with a probable spot in the late first or early second round, depending on how he fares in the predraft process. A team like the Suns, who have established scoring options, need to improve defensively, and are shallow in the frontcourt, might be interested. However, he may find it difficult to assess his situation by the withdrawal deadline of May 28.
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Born and raised in South Florida, Krystal is a recent graduate from the University of Miami with professional writing experience at the collegiate and national news outlet levels. She’s a foodie who loves all things travel, the beach, & visiting new places throughout Florida.