COLUMBIA, S.C. — Walter Clayton Jr., a guard for Florida, set a new school record on Wednesday night by achieving the most consecutive games with a 3-pointer during a match against South Carolina.

With 14:06 remaining in the game, Clayton made a decisive three-pointer from the right side, marking his 42nd consecutive game with at least one 3-point shot. This accomplishment allowed him to surpass the previous record of 41 held by Michael Frazier.

Clayton established his streak by sinking at least one three-pointer in the last 23 games of the previous season. He has continued this performance in every game this season, contributing to the success of the fifth-ranked Gators. Over the past two months, he outperformed several former Gators, including Anthony Roberson, Craig Brown, Brett Nelson, Kenny Boynton, and Lee Humphrey, to achieve this milestone. The previous record was held by Frazier, who set it from January 23, 2014, to January 24, 2015.

Florida’s head coach, Todd Golden, emphasized the significance of Clayton’s achievement the day before the game, stating, “This reflects two aspects: first, confidence, and second, consistency. Walt is undoubtedly among the most talented players in the country. He requires minimal time or space to make his shots.”

Golden further added that Clayton’s consistent high-level performance has greatly benefited the team, making his role essential. “His competitiveness has been exceptional throughout the year. Having a player like him allows me to coach better since I can trust him on the court each night.”

Clayton, in his senior year after transferring from Iona in 2023, came into the game as both Florida’s top scorer and their primary 3-point shooter. Boasting a career-high average of 17.9 points, he also delivered 3.7 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game, making 51 of 139 attempts from beyond the arc at a rate of 36.7%.

Golden noted the value of having a player like Clayton, who commands the ball and poses a significant scoring threat. “In the past, the focus was more on pass-first point guards. The dynamics of the game have evolved, and those earlier styles are still effective, but if a player isn’t a genuine scoring threat with the ball, it changes everything,” he explained.

“The way it’s progressing in the NBA is that if a point guard can average around 20 points, it transforms their game and increases their team’s threat level.”