University of Florida basketball star Walter Clayton Jr. has his sights set on the NBA — but being a good dad is his No. 1 priority.
The Florida Gators guard and his girlfriend, Tatiyana Burney, welcomed their first child together, daughter Leilani Leigh Clayton, in December 2023.
“My New Why,” Clayton Jr., a junior in college at the time, wrote on Instagram alongside photos of the newborn.
Since Leilani’s arrival, Clayton Jr. says Burney, whom he’s known since middle school, per The Independent Florida Alligator, has been an unrivaled teammate — helping him juggle the demands of both basketball and fatherhood.
“My girl, shout out to her, she’s done a great job just allowing me to focus on basketball. She’s doing a great job being a mom, and [she’s] helping me be a better father,” he told Trials to Triumph‘s Freddie Stevenson in November 2024.
Here’s everything to know about Walter Clayton Jr. and Tatiyana Burney’s daughter, Leilani.
She was born in December 2023
Clayton Jr. and Burney’s daughter, Leilani Leigh Clayton, was born on Dec. 11, 2023. She weighed 6 lbs., 7 oz. at birth.
“Cute things come to those who wait 9 months,” Burney wrote on Facebook after welcoming Leilani.
The couple announced that they were expecting their first child in May 2023. Burney shared a photo on Facebook of a “Baby Clayton” onesie and a sign that read: “The best things in life are sometimes unexpected.”
Leilani’s parents grew up together
Originally from Lake Wales, Fla., Clayton Jr. and Burney first met in middle school, according to The Independent Florida Alligator.
It’s unclear when the couple officially started dating, but Clayton Jr.’s mom, Cherie Quarg, told the outlet that Burney has been a steady presence in her son’s life since high school.
“After I met [Tatiyana], I realized that she lets him be him,” she said. “She knows he’s busy with his sports and that he always has kind of put that first. She blended right in with our little family.”
After giving birth to Leilani, Burney moved three hours north to Gainsville to live with Clayton Jr. and support him in his final season at the University of Florida.
Clayton Jr. isn’t shy about his love for Burney, often posting about her on social media and mentioning her in interviews.
“All because of you, I’ma be a better man. Now I wanna do things I ain’t never did,” he wrote on Instagram in May 2022, quoting Kodak Black lyrics.
She watches her dad play basketball
Leilani has been attending her dad’s games since she was just a few months old — and she’s always seen sporting custom Clayton Jr. swag.
Most recently, Clayton Jr. was spotted with his baby girl at the SEC Championship, where the Florida Gators secured the title with a win over the Tennessee Volunteers on March 16.
Now, Clayton Jr. hopes to lead the Gators to an NCAA title when they face off against the Houston Cougars in the championship game on April 7.
She is her dad’s “motivation”
While speaking to The Independent Florida Alligator in December 2024, Clayton Jr. told the outlet that he’s even more determined to play in the NBA now that he’s a father.
“[Leilani] is depending on me to provide for her. It’s just a lot of extra motivation,” he said, adding, “I definitely think [Leilani’s birth] helped maturity-wise.”
Clayton Jr. is projected to be a first-round draft pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, per Bleacher Report.
She is her mom’s “mini me”
In December 2024, Burney wished her “mini me” a happy first birthday on Facebook.
“Being able to watch you grow and reach new milestones have been nothing but the best!” she wrote of Leilani. “Being a mom isn’t easy but i’ll do it all over again just to be yours my sweet girl. Mama got you 4L.”
Burney went on to thank Clayton Jr. for taking care of their family and allowing her to be a stay-at-home mom.
“We love you so much and appreciate you more than you’ll ever know,” she continued.
Read the full article here
