Clayton Jr., Richard, Martin's impact on the historic season of Floridas

Updated 7:30 a.m., 3-14-25

One of the best baking spaces in the country played on Saturday in the O'Connell Center in a 90:71 win against Ole Miss in the O'Connell Center.

Walter Clayton Jr., Richard and Alijah Martin have brought the men's basketball program back into national importance with their versatile game. The Gators (27-4, 14-4 seconds) had their best regular season since 2014. What makes their record even more impressive is one of the most talented conferences in the history of the NCAA.

Every security guard has something that makes them something special. Clayton is known for his NBA level, Martin, for his intensive physicality on both sides of the soil and Richard for his ability to make shots in the clutch. In every game, the senior trio has proven that one of them can fall more than 20 points. Despite their individual properties, what makes these three so special is their leadership.

“She [Clayton, Richard and Martin] I was central to my development, ”said Alex Condon Alex Condon in Florida. “They are great managers and are crucial for the success of this team.

Senior Night Outro

Will Richard

Three years ago, the sports director of Florida, Scott Stricklin, Todd Golden to replace Mike White as a trainer. Golden's first manner was to build a squad that would bring Florida basketball out of a time of mediocrity.

The first transfer he bought to complete this mission was Richard:

“It was day and day, it makes it so special – to see how we have grown from this first year so far,” said Richard.

In his three years in Florida, Richard only got better with experience. From 2022 to 2025, all of his minutes, points and templates have increased. It was invaluable for this year's campaign. His moment of signature was a buzzing to push the Gator against South Carolina.

“When we got down here, we knew anyone and flew around and tried to find out who we would add to the program,” said Golden. “The last stop on the first tour that coach Kevin Hovde and coach Jonathan Safir and I had in Nashville to see a Belmont transfer named Will.”

Walter Clayton Jr.

This man does not need an introduction. As the best player in the nation's No. 4 team, Clayton has honored the first team from the league coaches and the league coaches and the coaches and the award ” The Associated Press And has a serious case to be an all-American and Jeremy West Award winner. Clayton Jr. was appointed on Wednesday by All-America of the first team The sporting news To be the first player in the program history to deserve the all-American status of the first team.

Last year the Lake Wales, Florida Native, moved to Florida from an Iona squad led by Rick Pitino and never looked back.

“I am closer to my family so that they can drive up and see me,” said Clayton. “It meant everything to me, and I guess Florida, who greets me with open arms and allowed me to be myself in the past two years.”

It is an average of 17.1 points, 4.3 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game at 44.1% efficiency this season. A total game changer.

Golden said he had to fight with St. Johns to bring Clayton home. St. Johns is the school pitino who took the rule after leaving Iona.

“If you try to bring this program back to where it was, you have to hit some great recruits that change your program's trajectory,” said Golden. “Walter is obvious.”

Alijah Martin

When Martin went along Billy Donovan Court in the senior evening, the entire arena barked. Florida got that with Martin this season. The 6-foot-2, 210 pound watch brought a physicality and mental hardness that this list was missing.

Martin made the Final Four with Florida Atlantic two years ago and hopes to give another appearance in his résumé with this squad in Florida. At 14.5, he scored the most points per game of his five -year career this season.

“Aljiah could have gone anywhere,” said Golden. “When we were able to jump it in the last spring, we have the feeling that we can have a really hard, physical, mature backplace with which we can play with.”

Exit

These three seniors have to prove even more. With the second best record in the SEC, you have declined twice in the liget tournament. The Gators will play on Friday in Nashville, Tennessee, and would only have to win three games on Friday to claim Secame fame.

The Gators will take over trusted enemy No. 21 Missouri (22-10) on Friday at 7 p.m. (Sec Network). The Tigers defeated the Gator 83-82 on January 14th, the only loss of home for UF this season. Missouri defeated Texas A&M in the second round on Thursday to get ahead.

The Gators are a seed No. 1 in the NCAA tournament, according to Lunardi, if the game of this trio continues to rose like the whole season, the gators could make serious noise at both tournaments.

“I feel really good, Walt, Will, Will and Alijah out there – to be able to play through them and to have their experience and success and self -confidence and their maturity and leadership,” said Golden. “They were great all year round and I don't expect the next week or the week after.”