Iona star Walter Clayton selecting between St. John’s and Florida

Walter Clayton Jr., the Iona College star guard who blossomed beneath Rick Pitino, is “positively contemplating” following his coach to St. John’s. 

In an interview with The Put up, the MAAC Participant of the Yr mentioned he’ll start an official go to to Florida on Friday after which see Pitino at St. John’s subsequent week. 

“It’s actually simply between St. John’s and Florida, to be trustworthy,” he mentioned. “My thoughts is both going again down south or coming with Coach P.” 

Clayton didn’t know a lot about Iona when the varsity reached out to him, apart from the coach was Rick Pitino, who he knew from watching the NCAA Match.

Below Pitino’s tutelage, Clayton loved a breakout sophomore season, averaging 16.8 factors, 4.3 rebounds and three.2 assists, whereas serving to Iona attain the NCAA Match.

The Lake Wales, Fla. native led the nation in free throw capturing at 95.3 % and shot a sturdy 43.1 % from 3-point vary.

“After I went into the portal, we had talked,” Clayton mentioned of him and Pitino. “He mainly mentioned if I wish to, I can come over there. He would actually take pleasure in that.”

Requested what pursuits him about St. John’s, Clayton mentioned: “Coach P, easy as that. I got here to New York to play for Coach Pitino. Coach P left Iona, that’s one of many causes I’m leaving. That’s it.” 

Pitino mentioned he plans to bring in up to eight new players.

Solely star heart Joel Soriano is a lock to remain, although Pitino mentioned he wished to maintain little-used ahead Drissa Traore.

In a textual content message Thursday morning, Pitino mentioned he was nonetheless evaluating the roster.

One participant, sophomore Rafael Pinzon, entered the switch portal on Wednesday.

Clayton mentioned going again dwelling positively pursuits him — with the College of Florida solely a two-and-a-half hour drive from the place he grew up.