Homecoming and the Road Ahead
Walter Clayton Jr. has returned to Lake Wales, Florida, to lead a basketball camp for more than 80 youngsters at Lake Wales High School, a prelude to his second season with the Memphis Grizzlies.
The 2023 first‑round pick out of the Florida Gators reflects on a rookie campaign that saw him appear in 69 games, averaging 7.8 points and 4.0 assists, before a mid‑season trade brought him to Memphis. In 24 games with the Grizzlies his numbers rose to 9.7 points and 5.7 assists, yet his shooting percentages — 38.4% overall and 30.7% from three — still lag behind his own expectations.
A knee sprain earlier in the summer threatened his preparation, but the guard says he is now fully recovered and ready for training camp opening on September 29. He credits the team’s medical staff and his own conditioning work for getting back to full health.
Clayton’s path to the NBA has been anything but linear. He once led Lake Wales to back‑to‑back state titles, then played under Rick Pitino at Iona before capturing a national championship with the Gators. The transition to professional basketball, he says, was a culture shock, especially the relentless schedule of 82 games and constant travel.
Looking ahead, the former high school star wants to reclaim his aggressive playing style, sharpen his decision‑making and rebuild his shot‑making confidence. He notes that veteran guidance and his own adaptability helped him navigate an unexpected trade involving eight players and multiple draft picks, and he is eager to build on those lessons as he enters his second NBA season.