Who is Speedy Claxton? What to know about Hofstra’s men's basketball coach

The upsets have already started in the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament as High Point, a No. 12 seed, stunned Wisconsin, a No. 5, and VCU, which also knows a thing or two about being a Cinderella, beat blueblood North Carolina as a No. 11. As the action moves forward in the first round, the potential for more upsets exists as 13-seeded Hofstra, led by head coach Speedy Claxton, takes on Alabama in the Midwest Region. Hofstra is making its fifth appearance in the NCAA Tournament, while the Crimson Tide has been to the dance in each of the past six years. The Pride is making their first March Madness appearance in 25 years, and with hopes to score the biggest victory in the school's history. Here is what to know about Speedy Claxton and Hofstra: What is Speedy Claxton's real name? Claxton was born Craig Elliott Claxton on May 8, 1978, in Hempstead, New York. He is 48 years old. Claxton played at Hofstra during his college career and was a two-time America East Conference Player of the Year before he was selected with the 20th overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. His No. 10 jersey was retired by Hofstra and he was inducted into the Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010. Claxton is one of only six players from Hofstra University to play in the NBA. Claxton made his NBA debut on Oct. 30, 2001, and played seven seasons for the 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, New Orleans Hornets and Atlanta Hawks, making his last NBA appearance in 2009. He won an NBA championship in 2003 with the Spurs and averaged 9.3 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.5 rebounds in 336 career games. Claxton was a scout with the Golden State Warriors before joining Hofstra's staff in 2013 as a special assistant. Hofstra is located in Hempstead, New York, about 25 miles east of New York City. The private college was founded in 1935, and its nickname for its sports teams is the Pride. They were known as the Flying Dutchmen until 2000. Claxton has a 105-62 record in five seasons with Hofstra, winning 20 or more games four times. The Pride went 24-10 this season and won the Coastal Athletic Association Conference Tournament championship to receive an automatic bid to the tournament. This is Hofstra's fifth appearance in the NCAA Tournament, following bids in 1976, 1977, 2000 and 2001. The Pride have never won a tournament game, and lost 61-48 to UCLA in the first round in its last appearance in 2001.