Quick Chat: Nicolas Claxton

By John Frierson
Staff Writer

As a sophomore during the 2018-19 Georgia men's basketball season, Nicolas Claxton led the Bulldogs in scoring, rebounding, blocks and minutes played. The 6-foot-11 forward/center did it all, and after the season he was drafted by the Brooklyn Nets.

It was almost exactly one year ago, on Nov. 8, 2019, that Claxton made his NBA debut, scoring 8 points and grabbing six rebounds in 12 minutes of action against Portland. Claxton spent his rookie year splitting time with Brooklyn and playing for the Nets' G-League squad, the Long Island Nets. In all, he played 15 games for Brooklyn before the coronavirus pandemic halted the season in March, his rookie year highlighted by scoring 14 points against the Bucks on Jan. 18, and 15 against the 76ers in back-to-back games.

Claxton suffered a shoulder injury in January and had surgery in June. He split time between his hometown of Greenville, S.C., and New York during the pandemic and is now back in New York working out in preparation for next season. He took a break last week for a Quick Chat. Here's some of what he had to say:

Frierson: You go from Greenville to Athens to living in New York. I'm guessing neither South Carolina nor Athens really prepared you for living in New York, so what was that transition like?

Claxton: It definitely was a culture shock but I feel like it was good. It was nice being able to venture out and seeing pretty much a totally different world, just how fast-paced New York is and the different culture. It's been a good change for me; I feel like I've done a lot of growing up and I'm happy to be here.

Frierson: What's your favorite thing about living in one of the greatest cities in the world?

Claxton: Probably how accessible everything is. You can walk to the grocery store, you can walk anywhere and anything you need is close. I like how easy it is to find nice shopping spots out here.

Frierson: Is there one thing been the most challenging about living in a big city?

Claxton: Living by myself, that's been different. That's something that I have adapted to. Another thing is the amount of free time I have in the NBA, that's a lot different. Back in college, you're always doing something, always with your teammates, but in the NBA you have a lot more free time. I've had to learn how to occupy my time.

Frierson: What do you do with that free time?

Claxton: I watch a lot of TV and I'm starting to hang out with my teammates a little bit more and getting to know them better, so that's been good.

Frierson: Take me back to your NBA debut. It's the culmination of a lifelong dream, so what is that moment like?

Claxton: It was a surreal moment, for sure. It was at Portland, and I remember my first few minutes; they called a timeout and the game was just moving so fast. It all slowed down and I felt good once I got my first bucket, I got comfortable. I played well and we got the win, so I was happy with the outcome.

Frierson: I know later in the season you got 14 and 15 in back-to-back games. Was that a huge confidence boost for you?

Claxton: Yeah, it definitely was, that was huge. We lost those two games but it was good for me to go out there just knowing that I could compete at this level. That's right around when I hurt my shoulder, one of those two games, so it was kind of a setback, but I'm working now and I'll be ready for next year.

Frierson: What is the biggest difference between the college and pro game?

Claxton: Honestly, college and pro are really night and day. The talent level, you're playing against grown men and guys are a lot stronger, a lot smarter — it's a lot different. There are a lot of 5-out offenses and you don't want the lane clogged up, so it's a lot different.

Frierson: You're teammates with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, two of the best players in the world. What is it like being around them and what have you learned from those guys?

Claxton: If somebody told me five years ago that I'd be on the team in the NBA with K.D. and Kyrie, I probably would just start laughing. It's definitely a blessing being able to learn from them. I haven't played in the actual game much with them (Durant missed all of last season after an Achilles tear and Irving was also limited due to injuries), but as far as just playing pickup and things like that, picking up on certain things, picking K.D.'s brain about how he guards smaller players and really just asking about anything. I look forward to continuing to expand my game alongside those guys.

Frierson: Halloween is a couple of days away as we do this, so what is your favorite Halloween candy?

Claxton: We didn't celebrate Halloween too, too much, but I would probably say Hi-Chews — I like Hi-Chews a lot.

Frierson: So I'm guessing you didn't dress up for Halloween much either.

Claxton: Nah, but one day I want to dress up as the Joker for Halloween. That's kind of on my bucket list.

Frierson: Looking back on your college days, is there one thing that really stands out to you?

Claxton: One thing that stands out is the jump I made from my freshman to my sophomore year. Going from not playing so much my first year to my second year kind of being the man and stepping into the role that I did.

Frierson: You led the team in pretty much every major area as a sophomore, so is that when you knew you were ready to move up to the next level?

Claxton: I always knew that my goal was to make it to the NBA, but going into my sophomore year that wasn't all that was on my mind. I just wanted to go out and be the best version of myself and I knew if I did that then everything else would fall into place. Coach (Tom) Crean and the staff, they pushed me and ultimately got me to where I needed to be,

(This Q&A was lightly edited for length and clarity.)

Assistant Sports Communications Director John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files. He's also on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.

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