Gator Boys Stay Hot: From National Champs to the NBA
- Evette Velasquez
- Jul 4
- 3 min read
Underdogs to Champions. This was exactly the story for the Florida Gators this season. The Gators won the NCAA National Championship when no one expected them to. This is the first time the Gators have won the championship since 2007, back when Joakim Noah, Al Horford, and Corey Brewer were at the helm. Fast-forward 18 years, and the Gators were named the 2025 National Champions in a thrilling win over Houston. But this time with another trio that are all Gators legends in their own right: Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin, and Will Richard.
The Gators’ Big Three were all drafted in the 2025 NBA Draft. They made history as the most Gators to be drafted since 2007. They’re also the only Gators that entered the draft this year, and just like that, Florida went 3-for-3. Although they had the hype of champions, people stopped talking about them far too soon. Clayton Jr., Martin, and Richard are all steals of the draft and will be a great asset to any team they’re on. Here’s where the beloved Gators’ trio members are headed.
Walter Clayton Jr. to the Jazz
Walter Clayton Jr. was selected No. 18 overall by the Utah Jazz. He was the Man of March and arguably the best player of the whole tournament. Clayton Jr. is best known for his crazy comebacks and Curry-like shooting. There were multiple instances where the Gators were down big time, but they stayed the course and trusted their star player. The comeback king shot the ball with confidence, and it went in every single time. He was on a mission and the main reason why UConn, Texas Tech, Auburn, and Houston were left heartbroken. Clayton Jr. is the definition of clutch, and no lead was safe when he had the ball in his hands. He’s coming off his best season yet and has ended his college career in the best way possible. He earned First-Team All-American honors, SEC Tournament MVP, West Regional MOP, Final Four MOP, and, most importantly, is a national champion. He has solidified himself as a Gator Great, and many fans believe he deserves his own statue. So why wasn’t he a lottery pick? I honestly couldn't tell you, but one thing is certain: Utah got lucky and has a proven winner on their team.
Alijah Martin to the Raptors
Alijah Martin was the 39th pick in the NBA draft and is headed to the Toronto Raptors. Martin’s athleticism is something that we’ve never seen before. He put the league on notice with his poster dunks and intense physicality. He’s small but mighty and has a 38” vertical jump. He’s proven that he doesn’t just have hops but is also a scorer, averaging 14.4 PPG. Martin is the first player to start in a Final Four for two different teams - FAU and Florida. He made it to the 2023 Final Four with FAU but ultimately fell short in the national semifinals. Martin made it there again, but this time with the Gators, and we all saw how that turned out. He was a crucial part of the Gators’ championship run, and he’s just getting started. Toronto’s a long way from the Swamp, but Martin will adjust just like he always has.
Will Richard to the Warriors
Will Richard was drafted No. 56 in the second round by the Golden State Warriors. Richard is certainly a steal and is often overlooked, evidenced by his low draft selection. He can shoot and is great defensively. He’s a two-way guard and made some great plays in the tourney. What stands out the most, however, is his heart. In the national championship game against Houston, Richard showed exactly why there’s no quit in a Gator. He kept his team in the game, and it was clear he truly wanted it. He scored 18 points, shot 4-for-4 from three, and had eight rebounds in his final game. He was also named to the All-SEC Tournament Team and the Final Four All-Tournament Team. Richard is a fighter, and it showed all season long. He was the unsung hero for the Gators, playing a key role in their championship win. The Florida Gators do not win a championship without Will Richard, and clearly, Golden State sees that.
All in all, Clayton Jr., Martin, and Richard are now household names and will be remembered forever. There's no denying that the former Gators will succeed in this new chapter, as winning is who they are. The Big Three made Gator fans believe and fall in love with the game all over again. They're forever etched in history and put Florida Basketball back on the map. Thank you, Gator Boys, for a great season and a generational run. The Gator Boys do indeed Stay Hot.
GATORS ON TOP!🐊