THE MOST exciting period in college basketball is coming to an exciting conclusion, with the Final Four for 2025 seeing the four best sides all season left standing in the penultimate stage of the NCAA National Tournament.

Since seeding began in 1979, there was just one occasion where the Final Four was made up of all one-seeded sides, and that number has now been doubled in a clear demonstration in the quality of the top teams in the tournament this year.

With stars on all four sides and likely NBA draftees aplenty, there are sure to be plenty of players that put their name under lights with some big performances on the big stage, as many famous names have done so in years gone by.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central will be casting an eye over a key player from each side that has the potential to have a huge say in the outcome of the tournament, and in the second of our two-part series, we take a look at the matchup between the Florida Gators and the Auburn Tigers.

Florida Gators – Walter Clayton Jr.

Although Aussies will be keeping a close eye on local talent Alex Condon (and for good reason given his campaign to date), Clayton Jr. looms as the key piece for the Gators. There are not many better offensive players in college basketball than the star Florida guard, who has again proven himself as the Gators’ most reliable source of scoring. He was First Team All-American for a reason, and is averaging 18.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game on 44.6 per cent shooting from the field, and has put together some huge performances throughout the 2024/25 season.

The Gators looked down and out last week, trailing late in the piece and facing elimination, before Clayton Jr. put his team on his back, knocking down back to back triples to drag Florida off the canvas and steer his team to victory. With the ability to erupt on the offensive end at any given time, Clayton Jr. is Florida’s ace, and if he can get into an offensive rhythm early against Auburn, especially against the next player on our list, it will be crucial for his team’s success.

Auburn Tigers – Denver Jones

Jones will be a key piece for the Tigers in multiple ways, with his two-way ability up there with the very best in the country. After transferring over from FIU at the start of the season, he has been a vital piece in the Auburn puzzle, often tasked with guarding the best player on the opposite team on a nightly basis, and consistently holding his opponent to a poor outing.

With Clayton Jr. looming as a potentially match winning presence, there is no doubt Jones will have his hands full, but if he can get the better of that battle, it will go a long way towards Auburn making the championship game.

On the other end of the floor, Jones is a skilled offensive player, still averaging 10.9 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game in a strong campaign. Although they are not the flashiest of numbers, it is the timing of his scores that make him such a strong threat on that side of the ball. Jones is undoubtedly Auburn’s best clutch player, so if the game is going down to the wire, expect the ball to find its way into his hands.