NBA DRAFT

June 25, 2025

Walter Clayton Jr.

Q. Talk about your night. How does it feel for the moment to be here after the journey you've taken?

WALTER CLAYTON JR.: For sure, it feels great. This is something I've worked toward my whole life. My family sacrificed a lot for me to be here, so I'm just thankful. It's a great feeling.

Q. Coming into Utah, big draft year for them, multiple picks in the first round. How do you see yourself fitting in with Ace and the rest of the team?

WALTER CLAYTON JR.: For sure, I feel great. I think throughout my college years I played with multiple great players and we found a way to mesh well and win games, so I don't see anything different in Utah. We're going to plan to do that.

Q. You went from living in beautiful, sunny Florida. Now you're going to be in snowy, cold Utah. What's that adjustment going to be like?

WALTER CLAYTON JR.: I was in New York my first two years of college. I heard New York might be a little worse than Utah. So I think I'll be good.

Q. Could you just look back on your journey from being a high school football player to going to a place like Iona you really didn't know anything about to where you are now? Is it hard to believe?

WALTER CLAYTON JR.: I wouldn't say hard to believe. I try not to look into the future too much. I try to take everything day by day. I'm just worrying about the next day, getting the job done, whatever day that is.

Q. What does it mean to you to be a top-20 NBA Draft pick?

WALTER CLAYTON JR.: It means there's a lot more work to do. I think there's a front office that believes in me and they expect me to come in and do my job.

Q. The whole age thing, I think you were the first guy taken who spent more than one year in college. What does that say about you, and what does that mean to you?

WALTER CLAYTON JR.: For sure. It means a lot. Like I said, it's a front office that's trusted in me, trusted in my skill set. Nothing is going to change. I'm going to continue to work every summer and improve my game every year.