Walter Clayton Jr. Shines in NBA Summer League Debut with Jazz

Lake City, USA - Walter Clayton Jr. made a splash in his debut at the NBA Summer League as he opened his professional career with the Utah Jazz. On July 6, 2025, Clayton showcased his talent in a thrilling game that saw the Jazz narrowly defeat the Philadelphia 76ers 93-89. Over the course of 25 minutes, he scored nine points, dished out a team-high six assists, and grabbed three rebounds, bringing a confident presence to the court that many fans have come to associate with his time at the University of Florida. The game marked an exciting start to his journey as a first-round pick, selected as the No. 18 overall by the Jazz, as noted by Hail Florida Hail.

During the matchup, Clayton shot two-of-six from beyond the arc and went one-of-two from the free-throw line, highlighting his shooting skills that had previously shone during his college career. Notably, he wasn’t the leading scorer for the Jazz; that honor went to Kyle Filipowski, who netted 22 points, while Brice Sensabaugh added 19. It’s always a team effort, after all!

A Seasoned Performer

Prior to his debut, Walter had an impressive college career which started at Iona. He later transferred to Florida, where he carved a niche for himself as the program’s first-ever First Team All-American. In his senior season, he averaged an impressive 18.3 points, 4.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game. His shooting accuracy was notable, with a 38.6% success rate from three-point range and an outstanding 87.5% at the free-throw line. These stats certainly show that he’s more than capable of holding his own in high-pressure situations, as was evident during standout performances in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, where he dropped 30 points on Texas Tech and an impressive 34 against Auburn, according to On3.

Despite Clayton’s success, some analysts are raising questions about his height—standing at 6 feet 3 inches—when it comes to competing at the next level. Nevertheless, he has demonstrated an ability to handle point guard duties effectively, even in a national championship environment. It’s clear that he brings a lot to the table, even if there are concerns regarding his physical stature in comparison to other players.

Looking Ahead

With his debut behind him, all eyes will be on Clayton as he continues with the Jazz. The team is gearing up for a matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, where he will have another chance to shine and show what he’s made of. In this exciting environment of the Summer League, it’s the perfect opportunity for rookies and second-year players like Clayton to prove they can cut it in the pros.

On a side note, fellow Florida player Will Richard of the Golden State Warriors did not participate in his team’s Summer League opener due to a trade delay that only became official on the same day as Clayton’s debut. Richard is expected to join the action for the remainder of the league and fans will be eager to see how he performs as well.

In summary, while there’s a long road ahead for Walter Clayton Jr., fans can look forward to more of his impressive skills on the basketball court as he embarks on this thrilling journey with the Jazz. For a player with his credentials and performances, there’s plenty of excitement brewing.

For further details on Clayton’s performance and insights, check out more from Pasion Futbol.