Florida star Walter Clayton Jr. lit up the Alamodome with a 34-point effort in his team’s 79-73 victory over Auburn, leading the Gators to their first national title game appearance since 2007. The win sent shockwaves through the crowd, including basketball legends such as Mike Krzyzewski and Hakeem Olajuwon.
Clayton’s teammates praised his ability to remain calm under pressure, saying he’s “poised, calm and collected” in critical situations. His confidence is contagious, with teammate Will Richard stating that everyone sees it and trusts him in high-stakes games.
The Gators’ coach, Billy Donovan, would love to see Clayton achieve a historic feat – becoming one of the few players to score 30 points or more in back-to-back Elite Eight and Final Four games. On Monday night, Clayton will face Houston in a chance to lead his team to its third national title and first championship in nearly two decades.
Clayton’s calm demeanor has become a problem for opponents – he remains unaffected by pressure, making him nearly unstoppable on the court. As he heads into Monday’s game, Clayton is focused on winning it all, saying “don’t get too high, don’t get too low.” With his teammates’ trust in him, Clayton is well-equipped to take on the challenge and make history as a national champion.
Source: https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/44551351/gators-walter-clayton-jr-close-auburn-reach-title-game