Walter Clayton, Jr.

[Roy H.]

I'm terrible at projecting prospects, and only watch a handful of games every year.  But, what separates a guy like Walter Clayton, Jr. from a prospect like Payton Pritchard?

[hwangjini_1]

I don't know squat about WC jr.

But I do know that Pritchard has a compulsive personality and drives himself even harder than many other NBA players. He gets the absolute most out of what he has. I remember reading how he would continue to practice dribbling a basketball even after his hands started bleeding from the repetitions.

That may be a point of separation. But then again, Clayton is 2 inches taller (6'3" versus 6'1") and based solely upon a single highlight video, Clayton may be a bit more athletic.

Pritchard is heavier by about 10 pounds, which might help with driving the basketball in the NBA. But then again, the Celtics' conditioning program might allow Clayton to bulk up.

Neither of them seem to be excessively quick or fast for NBA players.

[Goldstar88]

I only watched Pritchard a few times during his senior year in college, but he seemed like more of a pure point guard. He could score as well, but the passing was better than Clayton Jr who is basically an undersized shooting guard.

It is really hard to predict which players are going to make it at the next level, especially smaller guards. Steph Curry turned out to be an all time great and Jimmer Fridette couldn?t even make it as a role player in the NBA.

[Celtics4ever]

In my observations, both are fantastic shooters, with and without pressure.   I think Clayton is more athletic and has a more explosive first step and vertical.  Payton scores with skill and guile.   Payton has a better handle.  They have similarities and also differences.   I do not know if Clayton is a gym rat like Payton who works diligently to improve his game each year.   Both have ice water in the their veins in terms of being clutch.  Clayton can shoot the three, and has a better mid range.  Payton is lethal from the three.  Clayton is very right hand dependent.

Clayton won a title and played against better talent in the SEC than Payton did in college.  But does this guarantee he could be better than Payton, nope.

I found this article comparing them.

https://nbaanalysis.net/draft-prospect-walter-clayton-jr-is-more-dynamic-than-award-winning-boston-celtics-star/

[Roy H.]

When the time I wrote this, almost all mocks had Clayton, Jr. in the late second round.  It seems like he's moved up to the late first, which is in line with the Pritchard comp.

In my mind, the kid should be scooped up by a contender. 

[tazzmaniac]

When the time I wrote this, almost all mocks had Clayton, Jr. in the late second round.  It seems like he's moved up to the late first, which is in line with the Pritchard comp.

In my mind, the kid should be scooped up by a contender.

Tankathon has the Magic taking him at 25.  Seems like a good fit given their needs. 

[Who]

I think he should be a mid first round pick (10-20 range). This draft has so many question marks with unproven prospects. I think a lot of teams will regret passing up an established talent like Clayton Jr for those unproven guys many of whom will end up being busts.