For only the second time in program history, Florida men’s basketball has three players in their first year with the NBA after being selected in the 2025 draft. Florida’s renowned 2024-25 backcourt composed of guards Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard and Alijah Martin is now representing UF in the pros.
The trio went different directions with Clayton in Utah, Richard with Golden State and Martin in Toronto, and each has found their own success in the NBA so far after the first month.
Walter Clayton Jr.
The All-American point guard spent two seasons with the Gators and shattered countless program records before going No. 18 overall to the Utah Jazz in the 2025 NBA draft.
For much of the season so far, Clayton has been Utah’s third-string point guard or shooting guard off the bench. However, he has seen decent minutes, especially for his rookie season. The Florida native is averaging 5.4 points, 2.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 15.9 minutes per game.
He played in the first 11 games of the season before sitting out three due to coach’s decisions. He was assigned to the SLC Stars, Utah’s G-League team, on Nov. 21 but the Jazz quickly recalled him Sunday.
He scored his season-high 10 points in his NBA debut against the Los Angeles Clippers and did the same against the Kings in his next contest.
Known at Florida for his 3-point shooting, he’s drained 10 of 34 attempts from beyond the arc, but he missed all four of his attempts Monday night against the Warriors.
Clayton and the Jazz are 5-12 and 11th in the Western Conference.
Will Richard
Of Florida’s backcourt trio, Richard has seen the most success so far in the NBA, already working his way into the starting lineup for the Golden State Warriors. In October, the 56th pick saw more limited minutes and averaged just under 6 points a game.
This month, he is averaging 9.5 points, 3 rebounds and 1.2 assists on 40% shooting from 3-point range in 19.9 minutes per game.
Most notably, he dropped 30 points and added seven rebounds, three assists and a steal over 35 minutes in his first NBA start Nov. 5. He scored in double figures the two games following the performance and earned a more permanent place in the starting five shortly after.
"[He's] A really good, versatile player," Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said Nov. 5. “He's a player who can connect lineups because of his passing, because of his awareness, so we're excited to give him the opportunity."
In his three seasons at UF, he totaled 1,275 points, 470 rebounds, 201 3-point field goals, 148 assists and secured 105 starts. In his senior season, he was also named to the 2025 SEC and Final Four All-Tournament Teams.
He and Clayton faced off for the first time Monday, and Richard logged 9 points, six rebounds and two steals.
Alijah Martin
Martin was selected as the 39th overall pick in the draft and went to the Toronto Raptors. He has yet to see the court and is currently on a two-way contract, also playing for the G-League. He has been sidelined recently with an undisclosed injury.
In preseason, he totaled 16 points, nine rebounds and two assists across four games. He played 20 minutes in Toronto’s game against the Celtics, but has remained below the 10-minute mark since.
The transfer from FAU spent one season at Florida as a graduate student. He averaged 14.4 points and 4.5 rebounds a game and started in 36 of his 38 active games. He contributed 79 3-pointers to the team’s exceptional performance from beyond the arc last season.
Contact Ava DiCecca at adicecca@alligator.org. Follow her on X @avadicecca24.
Ava is a sophomore sports journalism student and the volleyball beat reporter for fall 2025. She enjoys playing basketball and volleyball in her free time and going on beach trips with friends. She has been a Boston sports fan all her life (Brad Marchand we miss you).
