SAN ANTONIO — The strong safety in Walter Clayton Jr. came out just in the nick of time.
The former prized football recruit displayed his closing speed to help Florida prevent Houston from attempting a potential game-winning shot in the final seconds of Monday night’s national title game.
Sensing danger when Houston’s Emanuel Sharp used a pair of staggered pin-down screens to free himself at the top of the key, Clayton sprinted to make up the 15 feet between him and the open shooter. Clayton leaped at Sharp just as he rose to shoot, forcing the Houston guard to drop the ball to avoid getting his shot blocked.