National Champion Florida Gators see second player selected in NBA Draft and it's well deserved

The Florida Gators knew that point guard Walter Clayton Jr. was going to be drafted during the 2025 NBA Draft, but there were still other Gators who had a chance. At the 39th pick in the second round, the Toronto Raptors selected guard Alijah Martin. Florida Gators G Alijah Martin selected by Toronto Raptors in […]

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Apr 7, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Florida Gators guard Alijah Martin (15) reacts after a play against the Houston Cougars during the second half of the national championship game of the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.
Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Florida Gators knew that point guard Walter Clayton Jr. was going to be drafted during the 2025 NBA Draft, but there were still other Gators who had a chance. At the 39th pick in the second round, the Toronto Raptors selected guard Alijah Martin.

Florida Gators G Alijah Martin selected by Toronto Raptors in NBA Draft

Martin had quite the college career. He spent the first four years of his career with the Florida Atlantic Owls, scoring double digit points in the final three years. After head coach Dusty May left for Michigan, Martin entered the transfer portal and committed to the Gators.

He played a huge role in the Gators winning the National Championship with 144 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game across the 38 games he played in 2024-2025.

ESPN's Jeremy Woo believes that Martin's tenacity will help him in Toronto, and that will pair incredibly well with his athletic ability.

Martin is a strong perimeter defender who played a big role on Florida's NCAA title-winning team after transferring from Florida Atlantic, where he was part of a memorable Final Four run. He helped his stock quite a bit during March and fits some of what Toronto values nicely with his tenacity. Martin should have a chance to impress on a team that could use the extra backcourt depth.

Toronto is projected to keep the pick, as Jonathan Givony said above, which means that Martin will be heading north of the border to play in the NBA. With his profile on both ends of the court, he will be a nice piece for the Raptors to continue developing as a depth player. Because of his defense, there is real starter upside down the line, and that could come early on, as he's already a 23 year old.

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