Offense Walter Clayton Jr. profiles as one of the most polished shooters entering this draft class, capable of stepping onto an NBA floor immediately thanks to elite perimeter shooting and versatile shot-making skills. His three-point prowess (career 37.9 percent on 5.5 attempts per game) will seamlessly translate to the next level due to his quick release, compact mechanics, and limitless confidence. Clayton thrives equally in spot-up scenarios, transition pull-ups, and shooting off movement, converting 43.5 percent on spot-up threes and 42.9 percent in transition this past season. What separates Clayton is his exceptional ability to get into his shot from virtually any angle or footwork combination. Comfortable operating off handoffs and screens, he's adept at manipulating defenders with hesitation moves and changes of pace to create space. Clayton is also an adept midrange scorer, consistently showcasing tough pull-up jumpers and floaters with impressive touch. His comfort shooting contested looks (40 percent on contested catch-and-shoot threes) highlights his ability to maintain mechanics under pressure. Clayton’s ballhandling is reliable enough to allow him some self-creation opportunities, especially late in the shot clock, though he’s not an ideal primary initiator. His decision-making in ball-screen actions remains inconsistent, and his passing vision sometimes lags, resulting in avoidable turnovers. While he can effectively punish defenses with step-back jumpers, Clayton needs improvement as a distributor to fully leverage the gravity he generates as a scorer. Despite excellent overall shot-making, his finishing at the rim is below-average (51.3 percent in half-court), stemming primarily from limited explosiveness and struggles finishing through NBA-caliber physicality. He’ll need to rely on craft and improved strength to enhance efficiency near the basket. Defense Clayton's defensive contributions project more modestly, but he possesses tools that could make him serviceable at the NBA level. Quick hands and solid instincts contribute to his ability to disrupt passing lanes, averaging nearly two combined steals and blocks per game throughout his career. He’s at his best off-ball, effectively reading plays to generate turnovers or deflections. However, Clayton often displays lapses in focus, losing track of assignments or failing to adequately contest shots. His on-ball defense is a notable weakness: limited lateral quickness and inconsistent footwork lead to difficulty staying in front of quicker guards. Clayton's smaller stature and moderate wingspan further compound these challenges. To stay on the court for extended minutes, he must become more disciplined and focused defensively, maximizing his instincts to compensate for his physical limitations. Looking Ahead Clayton's blend of elite perimeter shooting, shot-making, and competitive toughness significantly boosts his NBA value. His limitations as a finisher and primary playmaker mean his ideal NBA role is clearly defined: a complementary scoring guard thriving alongside a primary creator, spacing the floor, and providing instant offense off the bench. Teams needing reliable outside shooting, especially playoff contenders requiring rotational depth and offensive punch, will highly covet Clayton. He projects somewhere along the spectrum of successful NBA guards like Seth Curry, Isaiah Joe, and Jordan Clarkson; valuable rotational pieces whose gravity and scoring versatility consistently elevate team offenses. His immediate floor as a dangerous three-point threat and shot-maker ensures a clear and valuable NBA role, making Clayton Jr. a compelling first-round selection.