Florida men’s basketball star Walter Clayton Jr. showed his class after his team’s comeback win over Houston during Monday’s NCAA championship game.
The Gators overcame a 12-point deficit in the second half to stun the Cougars in a 65-63 slugfest inside the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Houston was burned in the final minute by back-to-back turnovers from guard Emanuel Sharp.
Sharp had the ball stripped off his knee with his Cougars trailing 64-63 in the final 30 seconds. Then on the game’s final possession, Sharp failed to even get a shot off as Florida escaped with the two-point victory.
"FLORIDA IS BACK ON TOP OF THE COLLEGE BASKETBALL WORLD!" pic.twitter.com/IeLecOAcSb
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 8, 2025
Sharp finished the contest with eight points on 3/11 shooting with three rebounds, one assist, and two turnovers. Both of his turnovers were committed in the final 26 seconds.
The Houston junior was in tears as orange and blue confetti fell from the rafters. Clayton, the man who contested Sharp in the closing seconds, made sure to console his opponent before beginning to celebrate.
Emanuel Sharp consoled by Walter Clayton Jr. after the turnover. pic.twitter.com/Ats4V0TsBt
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 8, 2025
Clayton had arguably his worst offensive game in this year’s March Madness. He scored a tournament-low 11 points on 3/10 shooting during the title game.
But Clayton did dish out 7 assists and made the key closeout in the end, which was enough to earn him the 2025 NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award.
