The Florida Gators are national champions.
On Monday night, the Gators completed their unforgettable March Madness run by edging out the Houston Cougars 65-63 in the national championship game. The victory capped off a thrilling Final Four and cemented Florida’s place at the top of the college basketball world. While this year’s NCAA Tournament may not have featured as many shocking upsets, the final rounds were filled with heart-stopping drama, and Monday’s title game delivered all the intensity fans could hope for.
Walter Clayton Jr. once again proved to be the heartbeat of Florida’s championship run. After a quiet first half, in which Houston’s relentless defense kept him in check, Clayton Jr. came alive when it mattered most. With the game hanging in the balance and Houston holding onto a lead for most of the contest, he knocked down clutch shots and made winning plays down the stretch.
Following the win, an emotional Clayton Jr. reflected on what it meant to be part of this team. “We [are] together on and off the court… It ain’t just about me… We got a team full of guys that can go [off],” he said in his postgame interview. His humility and leadership have been constants for Florida throughout the tournament, and they were on full display once again in the biggest game of the year.
The Gators entered the tournament with confidence but had to fight tooth and nail in almost every round. They trailed UConn, they trailed Texas Tech, and once again, they trailed Houston. But every time, they found a way. Clayton Jr. was a huge part of each comeback, and even when the offense stalled, his poise and ability to deliver in clutch moments gave the Gators a steady hand.
In the title game, Clayton Jr. finished with 11 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, including three crucial three-pointers that swung the momentum back to Florida late in the second half. Houston had done an impressive job of shutting him down early, but as has been the story of this entire March Madness run, he found a way to rise to the occasion.
“It’s still surreal right now,” Clayton Jr. said after the game. “I can’t even lie. It’s a great feeling.”
Florida’s win isn’t just a championship—it’s a statement. After a long road filled with adversity, close games, and big-time performances, the Gators are back on top of the college basketball world. And now, Walter Clayton Jr. will forever be remembered not just as a difference-maker, but as a national champion.
