Special Jennings, Montverde Academy (FL) girls' basketball head coach On the win-or-go-home feeling of playoff basketball Speedy Claxton just completed his first year as head coach of the Hofstra Pride men's basketball team, an NCAA Division I program. He joined the staff in 2013 prior to working with the Golden State Warriors coaching staff. A former first-round pick, Claxton spent 10 years in the NBA, winning an NBA title in 2003 with the San Antonio Spurs. In his first year at the reins of the program, Claxton led the Pride to a 21-11 overall record, going 13-5 within the Colonial Athletic Association. Hofstra recorded a signature road win against #24 Arkansas, who went on to compete in the Elite 8 of this year's NCAA Tournament. Claxton spoke with managing editor Wesley Sykes about the challenges of being a first-year head coach of a Division I program. WINNING HOOPS COACHES PLAYBOOK 2022 49