There are only a couple of weeks left for the college kids to impress the scouts before the NBA Draft takes place on June 20th. We will spend that time talking to the stars of tomorrow as they prepare for the next phases of their careers. The Claxton family already had 1 NBA dream come true 25 years ago, as Charles was drafted by the Suns in 1994 and later played for the Celtics. Charles’ son Nic will try to make it 2-for-2 next week after leading the SEC in BLK last season and being projected to be selected in the 1st round by several mock drafts. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Nic about being a great defender and what it would mean to get drafted.
Coming out of high school you were recruited by several great schools including Baylor, Florida State, NC State, and South Carolina: what made you choose Georgia? Ultimately my love for the university. They did a great job of recruiting me: I almost went to Florida State but my visit here reaffirmed in my heart that I was making the right decision.
You have spent several summers playing for the Virgin Islands: how big is basketball down there? It is pretty big and in the future I will try to help them out in any way I can. They are trying to use basketball as a platform to get kids on the right path so that they can avoid drugs/violence.
In 2016 you played against the US in the FIBA Americas U-18 Championship: which of your opponents impressed you the most (Jarrett Allen/Mo Bamba/Trae Young/other)? I actually liked Michael Porter Jr. a lot: once he gets healthy I think he is going to be a problem for other people in the NBA. He has a really good shot and I expect to see him make a big splash.
You only started 5 games as a freshman but started all 32 games last year: what was the biggest change from year #1 to year #2? The coaching change at our school. Coach Tom Crean came in from day 1 and showed me how he was going to develop me and push me every day to be the best player that I could be.
In March you scored a career-high 25 PTS/9-12 FG in a 6-PT win at Florida (including a finger-licking celebration in the final minutes): was it just 1 of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were “in the zone”? Yes: I was definitely locked in all game. We had lost several close games to finish February (4 in a row by a combined 9 PTS) so that night I took matters into my own hands: it was a good moment for our team.
Last year you led the SEC with 81 BLK and led your team with 34 STL: what is your secret for being a great defender? Having pride in playing defense, which I have had since I was young. I have a chip on my shoulder and I do not want my opponent to score against me. Being 6’11” also helps!
You made the SEC Academic honor roll during each of the past 2 years: how much importance do you place on academics, and do you plan to eventually get your degree? Definitely. My parents (especially my mom) are really big on academics so I have always tried to balance basketball with school. I plan to finish my degree either during my playing days or afterward so I know that I will eventually come back to campus to graduate.
Your father Charles was an all-SEC player at Georgia who later joined the Celtics and your younger brother Chase has signed to play basketball at Winthrop: who is the best athlete in the family? I have a lot of confidence in myself so I will have to say me! All 3 of us are great athletes and I am extremely proud of my brother.
Why did you decide to turn pro? I did not know if I would be keeping my name in the draft but I decided to stay after getting some good feedback from teams at the combine.
What would it mean to you to get drafted? Hearing my name called on draft night would be a huge blessing so I will just keep praying/working until then.