We are still a couple of months away from the tip-off of a new college basketball season, which means that we have plenty of time to start preparing for the action ahead. We will do so via a series of season previews featuring the best players/coaches in the country. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel continues our coverage with new High Point head coach Flynn Clayman, who talked about starting his new job last spring and his expectations for this season.
You played D-1 basketball at Colorado State/Troy, then played 1 year at the University of the Cumberlands, where you led the nation with 48.1 3P%: what is the secret to making shots from behind the arc? A lot of hard work/early mornings/late nights! I had a soft touch, but to reach that percentage it takes years of consistent work (day in and day out).
You spent 4 years playing pro basketball overseas: what was the biggest difference between basketball in the US and basketball in other countries? The IQ aspect of players over there, who learn how to play team basketball from a younger age then kids in the US. They might not be as physically talented, but they had an advantage over athleticism because they knew how to compete.
How did you 1st get into coaching? I had a ton of injuries during college, and when I was playing in Israel my hip started to go out on me again. I loved the game and wanted to get into coaching, so I got to coach in Australia and work with some really good players. That is also where I met Coach Alan Huss, and it worked out.
You spent the past 2 seasons as associate head coach to Huss at High Point, where you directed the top-2 offenses in Big South history: what made your offense so effective? The biggest parts are shot selection/skill development. It sounds so simple…but you need to teach guys how to get shots at the basket, get to the FT line, and get open threes. That is what they will need to do if they want to play at the pro level.
You have won 3 postseason games during each of the past 2 years: what is the key to winning games in March? It starts with having great players! Last year we got over the hump and won our conference tourney, which was due to our depth. At Southern Utah we were a unanimous preseason favorite 1 year…but our best player broke his wrist toward the end of the regular season, and we were done.
Last April you were hired to replace Coach Huss: why did you take the job, and how is it going so far? This is a dream place to work, and the university has been growing for the past 20 years. I was very fortunate to be selected: there were sitting D-1 head coaches who wanted to come work here.
You have a very experienced backcourt including Chase Johnston/Vincent Brady II/Rob Martin/Scotty Washington: how crucial will your guards be to your success this year? I love our guard play. We also have PG Conrad Martinez who transferred from Arizona. We have 2 true PGs in Rob/Conrad, while Vincent/Scotty are long athletic wings who can drive/shoot. Chase is a remarkable shooter who might end up top-20 on the D-1 career 3PM list (while passing Steph Curry!).
Your wife Katie is an assistant coach for the women’s team at High Point: does having another coach in the family make life easier or harder? It is different than your average family since we are often on the road for games/recruiting…but she makes it all work. She does 2 jobs while I only do 1: we both handle pick-and-rolls, but she handles everything else. She is a truly special woman.
You have a birthday coming up this month: any plans for the big day? Not yet, but my wife might be planning a little something. I am not a big celebration guy, but I am sure we will do something nice.
What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? The expectations are very clear: we expect to be a conference champ, which is different from when I got here 2 years ago. Goals can be limiting so we just want to be the best we can possibly be every single day and let the results fall where they may.
