Nic Claxton

Nic Claxton's Biography

Nicolas Devir Claxton, a familiar name in the world of professional basketball, was born on April 17, 1999. A skilled American athlete, he’s currently a key player for the Brooklyn Nets in the National Basketball Association (NBA). His journey to the top isa compelling tale, marked by distinct milestones that trace back to the time when he was just a pupil at Legacy Charter School in Greenville, South Carolina.

During his senior year at Legacy, Claxton had an average score of 17.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game. His impressive performance secured his place in the school’s notable records, as he became the fourth student in its history to cumulatively score 1,000 career points. As a three-star recruit, he had multiple scholarship offers on the table but ultimately chose to play for the Georgia Bulldogs over other schools like Baylor, Florida State, NC State, and South Carolina.

Claxton’s professional career took off on June 20, 2019, when the Brooklyn Nets selected him using their 31st pick in the 2019 NBA draft. He officially signed with the team on July 7, 2019, and made his NBA debut on November 8 against the Portland Trail Blazers, scoring eight points and six rebounds in a triumphant 119–115 game. Unfortunately, he suffered a hamstring injury in January 2020 and was assigned to the Long Island Nets, their NBA G League affiliate team.

Throughout his career, he has faced challenges and milestones. On June 24, he underwent a successful arthroscopic labrum repair surgery on his left shoulder, marking the end of his participation for the rest of the 2019–20 season. The subsequent season saw the Nets trade center Jarrett Allen to open up more playing time for Claxton.

Highlights from his recent career include a season-high score of 23 points against the Sacramento Kings on February 2, 2022, and becoming the Nets’ major starting center after the trade of DeAndre Jordan. His impressive performances led to a season-high average of 10.5 points and 2.3 blocks per game, although his team faced elimination in the first round of the playoffs against the Boston Celtics.

Claxton’s display of resilience and skills earned him a lucrative two-year contract of $20 million with the Nets on July 7, 2022. He started the 2021–22 season as the Nets’ leading center and achieved a career-high score of 27 points in January 2023. He closed the year as a front-runner in the league’s field goal percentage at 70.5% and came second in blocks per game, ultimately finishing ninth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. In recognition of his impressive performance and burgeoning potential, the Nets offered him a four-year contract worth $100 million in 2024.

Claxton’s athletic prowess also extends to the international platform. He represented the United States Virgin Islands in various championships including the Centrobasket Under-15 Championship in 2014, and the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship in 2016.

His eligibility to represent the U.S. Virgin Islands arises from his father, Charles Claxton, who was born in St.Thomas. Like Nicolas, Charles is an accomplished basketball player who represented Georgia in his college years and was later a member of the Boston Celtics in the 1995–96 NBA season. Aside from his father, his younger brother, Chase Claxton, is a Division I basketball player for the Winthrop Eagles.