Quick Facts
TaurusBiography
Craig "Speedy" Claxton (born May 8, 1978) is a retired professional basketball player. In 2013, he was named as a special assistant to the head coach for the Hofstra University men's basketball program.
College
Prior to the NBA, Claxton played at Hofstra University under current Villanova University coach Jay Wright. At Hofstra, Claxton led the Flying Dutchmen to the America East Championship, defeating the University of Delaware in the championship game at Hofstra Arena, thereby reaching the 2000 NCAA Tournament, where they were defeated in the first round by an Oklahoma State team led by Desmond Mason, Claxton's future teammate with the Hornets.
Claxton donated money to help build the 5000-seat arena in which the Hofstra team plays, and his number 10 was retired by Hofstra on January 31, 2009.
Claxton was inducted into the Hofstra Hall of Fame on January 29, 2011.
NBA career
San Antonio Spurs (2002-2003)
Claxton was drafted in 2000, 20th overall, by the Philadelphia 76ers. His rookie scale contract was worth four years and $4.68 million; he opted out of the fourth year to become a free agent.
He missed his entire rookie season due to a knee injury suffered during the pre-season. In 2002 Claxton was traded to the San Antonio Spurs, where he played on the 2003 championship team as a reserve, backing up Tony Parker.
Golden State Warriors (2003–2005)
In 2003 Claxton was signed by the Golden State Warriors to a three-year contract worth US$10 million.
New Orleans Hornets (2005–2006)
On February 24, 2005, Claxton and Dale Davis were traded from the Warriors to the New Orleans Hornets for Baron Davis.
Atlanta Hawks (2006–2009)
On July 12, 2006, Claxton signed a contract worth approximately $25 million over four years with the Atlanta Hawks. Claxton only played 44 games with the Hawks, as he was injured in every year after he signed with the team. During the 2006-07 season, he averaged 5.3 points and 4.4 assists a game.
Golden State Warriors (2009–2010)
On June 25, 2009, Claxton was traded to the Golden State Warriors, along with Acie Law for Jamal Crawford. He was waived by Golden State on February 6, 2010, after the team signed Anthony Tolliver for the remainder of the season.
Post-playing career
Claxton served as a college scout with the Golden State Warriors before joining the Hofstra University men's basketball staff in 2013.
Personal life
Claxton's parents are from Antigua and Barbuda. His sister, Lisa, played for the St. John's Red Storm women's basketball team. His brother Michael (M. Buckets) played college basketball for the Villanova Wildcats. Claxton has two daughters, Aniya and London with ex-wife Meeka. The couple announced their divorce in July 2014.
NBA career statistics
| Legend | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
Regular season
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001–02 | Philadelphia | 67 | 18 | 22.8 | .400 | .121 | .838 | 2.4 | 3.0 | 1.4 | .1 | 7.2 |
| 2002–03 | San Antonio | 30 | 0 | 15.7 | .462 | .000 | .684 | 1.9 | 2.5 | .7 | .2 | 5.8 |
| 2003–04 | Golden State | 60 | 29 | 26.6 | .427 | .182 | .813 | 2.6 | 4.5 | 1.6 | .2 | 10.6 |
| 2004–05 | Golden State | 46 | 44 | 32.6 | .431 | .192 | .761 | 3.3 | 6.2 | 1.9 | .1 | 13.1 |
| 2004–05 | New Orleans | 16 | 3 | 22.8 | .373 | .111 | .610 | 1.9 | 5.5 | 1.4 | .1 | 6.8 |
| 2005–06 | New Orleans/Oklahoma City | 71 | 3 | 28.4 | .413 | .270 | .769 | 2.7 | 4.8 | 1.5 | .1 | 12.3 |
| 2006–07 | Atlanta | 42 | 31 | 25.1 | .327 | .214 | .550 | 1.9 | 4.4 | 1.7 | .1 | 5.3 |
| 2008–09 | Atlanta | 2 | 0 | 7.5 | .286 | .000 | .500 | .0 | 1.5 | .0 | .0 | 2.5 |
| Career | 334 | 128 | 25.6 | .409 | .193 | .762 | 2.5 | 4.3 | 1.5 | .1 | 9.3 |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Philadelphia | 5 | 0 | 9.8 | .333 | .000 | .667 | .2 | 2.8 | 1.0 | .0 | 2.4 |
| 2003 | San Antonio | 24 | 0 | 13.6 | .438 | .000 | .750 | 1.9 | 1.9 | .7 | .2 | 5.2 |
| 2009 | Atlanta | 1 | 0 | 3.0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 |
| Career | 30 | 0 | 12.6 | .427 | .000 | .740 | 1.5 | 2.0 | .7 | .2 | 4.6 |