An exciting time is ahead for star college basketball players with the 2025 NBA drafts soon on the basketball calendar. NBA basketball teams are scouting, looking for the best players to join them on the courts and the prized player, Walter Clayton Jr, already has assumptions lingering of where he might be placed. The NBA lottery has its ‘here and there’ moments with matching the worst ranked teams of the season and the best college player together. With Orlando Magic needing the player, will Clayton Jr make way to the team?
The 2025 NBA mock draft: will the Magic get Clayton Jr?
Drawing up a hypothesis from the results of the season final ranks, Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor has revealed the NBA mock draft and Orlando Magic, ranking the lowest this season, has the chance to select Clayton with the 25th overall pick, first round. Clayton Jr, being one of the best players skyrocketing in the 2025 NBA Draft, Orlando Magic need this type of fire to ignite the group’s performance in the 2025-26 NBA season.
O’Conner wrote “… here’s another shooter for the Magic: the best shooter so far in March … looking like Steph Lite.” Although complimenting the upcoming star in the best way, O’Connor mentions his setbacks but places them as a gain for the Magic, saying “Though his limitations as a defender hold him back from being an elite prospect, Clayton is a fearless shooter with the versatility to take any shot at any moment. And that’s precisely what the Magic need.”
All to know about college basketball star, Walter Clayton Jr
The Florida Gators stand tall as the national champions, with team players such as the rising star, Walter Clayton Jr. Moving up in the NBA draft stock rise, Clayton Jr., is seen as a potential player for the second-round pick. In an interview, Williams said, “I could make a case that he could be the second or third pick in the NBA draft”.
During the March Madness games, Clayton Jr’s performance resulted in him placing himself in first-round conversation prior to the 2025 NBA draft. With applauses such as “The run this guy’s on, the shots he makes, combine Damian Lillard with Steph Curry…”, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and many basketball fans are ranking him high.
In the 2024-25 season with the Florida Gates, Clayton Jr, averaged 18.5 points, 4.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds per games in 39 appearances. Playing for the national championship against the Houston Cougars, guard Walter Clayton Jr will be giving his all in San Antonio. With many hoping he joins Orlando Magic, teammates such as Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and many others will not carry the team as much.
Clayton joining Magic? The role of Franz Wagner
A key player in the Orlando Magic, Franza Wagner, signed a five-year $224 million contract extension and his roles are yet to expand with the involvement of Walter Clayton Jr. The promotion as co-leader alongside Banchero displays his ability to adapt, which will determine how the team’s roster, including the addition of Clayton Jr., will be built around him. The speculation of playing with Wagner can be a great opportunity for Clayton Jr.
The NBA mock drafts all being a guessing game however high probabilities, the draft of college basketball star, Walter Clayton Jr., by Orlando Magic will be a rising occasion for the team that ended the 2024-25 NBA season on a rather disappointing note. The opportunity for Clayton Jr., to play with the team will be a benefit for the young player, as he will be shooting hoops amongst stars. A great player in the team, Franz Wagner has roles rising with the potential of Clayton Jr joining.
