Walter Clayton Jr., the Florida Gators’ star guard and 2025 NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, isn’t just a basketball phenom, he’s a family man who wears his heart on his sleeve. Moments after leading the Gators to a nail-biting 65-63 championship victory over Houston on April 7, 2025, Clayton made it clear where his priorities lie.
Amid the confetti and roaring crowd, he shouted out his mom, Cherie Quarg, before wrapping his arms around his love, Tatiyana Burney, and their baby daughter, Leilani Leigh Clayton, born December 11, 2023. The image of Clayton, still in his jersey, cradling Leilani while Tatiyana smiled beside him, became an instant symbol of triumph both on and off the court.
Who Is Walter Clayton Jr.’s Girlfriend?
Tatiyana Burney isn’t just Clayton’s partner, she’s his rock, his high school sweetheart, and the mother of his child. The couple’s story began in Lake Wales, Florida, where they met in middle school. Though the exact date they started dating is fuzzy, their social media hints at a relationship blossoming by early 2022. Clayton’s first Instagram post, dedicated to Tatiyana in May 2022, quoted Kodak Black lyrics: “All because of you, I’ma be a better man. Now I wanna do things I ain’t never did.”
That sentiment only grew stronger when Leilani arrived, weighing 6 pounds, 7 ounces, and instantly becoming Clayton’s “new why,” as he captioned her newborn photos. Tatiyana, who moved three hours north to Gainesville to support Clayton during his final season at Florida, has been the backbone of their little family, juggling motherhood while Clayton dominated the NCAA.
Leilani, now a toddler, has already become a courtside staple at her dad’s games, decked out in custom Gators gear. From the SEC Championship win over Tennessee in March 2025 to the Final Four in San Antonio, she’s been there, her presence fueling Clayton’s fire. “She’s depending on me to provide for her,” he told The Independent Florida Alligator in December 2024. “It’s just a lot of extra motivation.”
Hilarious watching Walter Clayton Jr tell the Florida Gators mascot to get out of his family picture…hilarious. #NationalChampionship #NCAATournament #NCAA #NationalChampions #Florida #Gators #Houston #Cougars pic.twitter.com/qFLtz1ItOO
— Artie Schweitzer (@ArtieSchweitzer) April 8, 2025
That motivation was undeniable during the NCAA Tournament, where Clayton averaged 24.6 points per game, shooting a blistering 48.7% from three-point range. But stats aside, it’s the off-court moments that define him, such as kicking the Gators’ mascot out of a family photo post-championship or Tatiyana’s heartfelt Facebook tribute to Leilani on her first birthday: “Being a mom isn’t easy, but I’ll do it all over again just to be yours.”
Clayton’s support system extends beyond Tatiyana and Leilani. His mom, Cherie Quarg, a former basketball and softball player, never had to push him as he was the kid reminding her about practice. His dad, Walter Clayton Sr., toughened him up on their neighborhood court, where spectators would gather to watch their one-on-one battles. On Senior Night, the entire family, including Cherie, Walter Sr., Tatiyana, and Leilani, stood beside him, symbolic of the village behind his success. Even Houston coach Kelvin Sampson took notice, calling Clayton “the ultimate winner” before the title game.
Now, with a championship ring and a projected first-round NBA draft pick looming, Clayton’s journey is far from over. But no matter where basketball takes him, one thing’s certain: Tatiyana and Leilani will be there, cheering him on. Whether it’s Tatiyana’s quiet strength, Leilani’s giggles during post-game interviews, or Clayton’s own admission that he’s “still figuring out the whole father thing,” their story is a reminder that even in the high-stakes world of college basketball, family is the ultimate win. And for Walter Clayton Jr., that’s a trophy no one can take away.
