Last Updated on October 5, 2026 by Orlando Bloom
Walter Clayton Jr. comes from an athletic and supportive Florida family that played an important role in his journey to professional basketball. The Memphis Grizzlies guard is the son of Walter Clayton Sr. and Cherie Quarg, both of whom participated in sports during their younger years. He also grew up with two sisters, Asia Harris and Giselle Clayton.
Clayton has also started a family of his own. His longtime girlfriend, Tatiyana Burney, has been alongside him since well before his rise to national basketball fame, and the couple welcomed their daughter, Leilani Leigh Clayton, in December 2023. Becoming a father has since become one of the biggest sources of motivation in Clayton’s basketball career.
Who Is Walter Clayton Jr.’s Girlfriend?
Walter Clayton Jr.’s longtime girlfriend is Tatiyana Burney. The two have known each other since middle school and maintained their relationship as Clayton progressed from high school basketball to college and eventually the NBA.
Burney generally keeps a lower public profile than her boyfriend, but she became more widely known during Clayton’s successful career with the Florida Gators. She has appeared alongside Clayton at basketball events and in family photographs with their daughter.
The relationship also had to adapt to Clayton’s demanding basketball schedule. After their daughter was born, Burney made significant efforts to ensure that Clayton could remain closely involved in his daughter’s life while continuing his college career in Gainesville.
Her support became particularly important during Clayton’s final season at Florida, when he helped lead the Gators to the 2025 NCAA men’s basketball national championship.
Does Walter Clayton Jr. Have Children?
Yes. Walter Clayton Jr. has one publicly known child, a daughter named Leilani Leigh Clayton.
Leilani Leigh Clayton
Walter Clayton Jr. and Tatiyana Burney welcomed Leilani Leigh Clayton on December 11, 2023, in Lakeland, Florida.
Clayton publicly described his daughter as his new source of motivation shortly after her birth. Fatherhood arrived while he was still playing college basketball, forcing him to balance the responsibilities of being a student-athlete with raising a young child.
Leilani soon became a familiar presence around her father’s basketball career. She attended Florida games with her mother and was present for some of the most important moments of Clayton’s college career.
Clayton has explained that providing for his daughter changed the way he viewed his future. His ambitions in professional basketball became connected not only to his own goals but also to creating stability and opportunities for Leilani.
Who Are Walter Clayton Jr.’s Parents?
Walter Clayton Jr. was born to Walter Clayton Sr. and Cherie Quarg. Both parents have athletic backgrounds, making sports an important part of the environment in which their son grew up.
Walter Clayton Jr.’s Father: Walter Clayton Sr.
Walter Clayton Sr. is Walter Clayton Jr.’s father. During his younger years, Clayton Sr. played both basketball and football.
He had an especially important influence on his son’s competitive development. When Walter Jr. was growing up, father and son regularly played basketball against each other at a community court near their home.
Those games could become highly competitive and helped Walter Jr. develop the toughness and confidence that would later become important parts of his playing style.
Football was also something they had in common. Before committing fully to basketball, Walter Jr. was an accomplished high school quarterback and attracted attention for his ability on the football field.
Walter Clayton Jr.’s Mother: Cherie Quarg
Walter Clayton Jr.’s mother is Cherie Quarg. Like Walter Sr., she has an athletic background and participated in basketball and softball during her school years.
Quarg has been one of her son’s biggest supporters throughout his career. She has explained that Walter was highly self-motivated from a young age and rarely needed to be reminded to practice or work on his game.
That dedication eventually carried Clayton from high school basketball in Florida to Iona University, the University of Florida and ultimately the NBA.
The bond between Clayton and his mother became especially visible after Florida captured the 2025 national championship. Following the championship victory over Houston, Clayton immediately expressed his excitement about seeing his mother and celebrating the achievement with his family.
Who Are Walter Clayton Jr.’s Siblings?
Walter Clayton Jr. has two publicly known sisters: Asia Harris and Giselle Clayton.
Asia Harris
Asia Harris is one of Walter Clayton Jr.’s sisters. Compared with her brother, she has maintained a relatively private life and has not pursued the same level of public attention through professional sports.
Published profiles of the Clayton family reported that Asia attended the University of Kansas. Beyond her education and connection to Walter, relatively little verified information about her personal life has been made public.
Giselle Clayton
Giselle Clayton is Walter Clayton Jr.’s other sister. Like Asia, Giselle has largely remained outside the public spotlight.
Walter’s official University of Florida basketball biography lists both Asia and Giselle as his sisters, confirming that he grew up as part of a three-sibling family.
While Walter became the family member most closely associated with high-level basketball, his sisters and parents have continued to form part of the support system surrounding his career.
Walter Clayton Jr.’s Family and Florida Roots
Walter Clayton Jr. was born in Sebring, Florida, on March 6, 2003. His family later moved to Lake Wales when he was still young, and Central Florida became an important part of his identity and athletic development.
Clayton initially excelled in both basketball and football. His athletic parents helped provide an environment in which competition was normal, while his own commitment eventually pushed him toward basketball.
After beginning his college career at Iona, Clayton transferred to the University of Florida. His return to his home state allowed members of his family to remain closely involved in his career.
His time with the Gators reached its highest point in 2025 when Florida won the NCAA national championship and Clayton was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player. He subsequently entered the NBA, beginning his professional career before eventually joining the Memphis Grizzlies.
How Fatherhood Changed Walter Clayton Jr.
Becoming a father while still in college added another dimension to Clayton’s life. Leilani was born during his first season at Florida, meaning he had to adjust to parenthood at the same time he was competing at one of the highest levels of college basketball.
Rather than viewing fatherhood as a distraction, Clayton has described his daughter as additional motivation. His desire to provide for Leilani strengthened his determination to build a professional basketball career.
Tatiyana Burney also became an important part of that process by supporting both Clayton and their daughter while he handled the demands of practices, games and travel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Walter Clayton Jr.’s Family
Who is Walter Clayton Jr.’s girlfriend?
Walter Clayton Jr.’s longtime girlfriend is Tatiyana Burney. The two have known each other since middle school and have a daughter together.
Is Walter Clayton Jr. married?
There has been no widely reported public announcement confirming that Walter Clayton Jr. and Tatiyana Burney are married. She has generally been identified publicly as his longtime girlfriend.
Does Walter Clayton Jr. have children?
Yes. Walter Clayton Jr. has one publicly known daughter, Leilani Leigh Clayton.
When was Walter Clayton Jr.’s daughter born?
Leilani Leigh Clayton was born on December 11, 2023, in Lakeland, Florida.
Who is Walter Clayton Jr.’s father?
His father is Walter Clayton Sr., a former high school basketball and football player who helped develop his son’s competitive approach to sports.
Who is Walter Clayton Jr.’s mother?
His mother is Cherie Quarg, who participated in basketball and softball during her younger years and has remained a major supporter of her son’s basketball career.
Does Walter Clayton Jr. have siblings?
Yes. Walter Clayton Jr. has two sisters named Asia Harris and Giselle Clayton.
Where is Walter Clayton Jr. from?
Walter Clayton Jr. was born in Sebring, Florida, and spent much of his childhood in Lake Wales, Florida.
Orlando Bloom is a sports journalist and analyst specializing in in-depth NBA coverage, tactical breakdowns, and advanced player analytics. With a passion for professional basketball, he covers everything from trade deadline maneuvers and Draft prospects to team strategies and league-wide trends. Combining detailed stat analysis with game context, Orlando delivers sharp insights and compelling stories for avid basketball fans and casual followers alike.
