Speedy Claxton is taking over as basketball coach at Hofstra, where he starred as a point guard in the late 1990s and has served as an assistant for the past seven years.
Claxton, a Hofstra legend, was introduced on Thursday as the Pride’s 13th men’s basketball coach.
He replaces Joe Mihalich, who missed last season after taking a medical leave of absence and then transitioned into an advisory role with the school last month.
This past season, Hofstra was guided by associate head coach Mike Farrelly. The Pride were guided by Farrelly to a 13-10 record.
Claxton became one of Hofstra’s greatest and most popular players. He led the program to an NCAA tournament appearance in 2000, scored more than 2,000 career points and left as the program’s career leader in assists and steals.
The Hempstead native was drafted in the first round by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2000 and played seven seasons in the NBA.
After spending three seasons with the Golden State Warriors as a scout, Claxton returned to Hofstra in 2013 as a special assistant to Mihalich and was promoted to assistant coach in 2014.
“Today is a dream come true for me,” Claxton said in a statement. “With that dream comes responsibility, I know the incredible history of the Hofstra men’s basketball program. I have lived it. I have experienced it. I have coached it. And today I am ready to lead it.”
Image: @speeddeamon | Twitter | Hofstra Athletics
