Speedy Claxton went out to dinner on Saturday night, but couldn’t take his eyes off the college basketball game on TV.
Coach Hofstra was transfixed, but not because there were players he expected to enter the transfer portal.
No, Claxton had his eye on Alabama’s No. 55, Aaron Estrada. Estrada starred the past two seasons and was a two-time CAA Player of the Year.
At the end of the game, as the fourth-seeded Crimson Tide clinched their first Final Four berth in program history, Claxton beamed like a proud father.
“I’m so happy and excited for that kid,” he told The Post in a phone interview. “I couldn’t stop smiling. To be able to stand on that stage and watch him cut the net, I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
When last season ended for Hofstra with a loss to Cincinnati in the second round of the NIT, Estrada had options.
He could stay in school for another year with the Pride, turn pro, or transfer.
While the first two possibilities were the most appealing to the 6-foot-3 Estrada, Claxton pushed the idea of a third possibility.
He could earn a hefty salary through name, image, and likeness rights (NIL) and play at the highest level of the sport, making it a great way to spend his final years of college basketball before turning pro. was.
“We had to force him into the transfer portal because he honestly wanted to stay here. No, this is a better decision for you. It’s better for you and your family. It will put you in a position,” Claxton said. “It was tough, because if he had come back, he could have been on a top 25 team in the country. But at the end of the day, I’m not looking out for my own best interests, but for these kids. You have to do what’s in your best interest.”
Mr. Claxton and his staff worked with Mr. Estrada to find the perfect match, speaking with Mr. Estrada and potential suitors on the phone and helping set up visits. They thought Alabama made the most sense, given Freedom coach Nate Oats’ guard and backcourt needs because of the Crimson Tide’s up-tempo offensive attack.
It was a great decision.
The Woodbury, N.J., native ranks alongside standout Mark Sears as Alabama’s leader in assists (4.7), second in points (13.4) and career-high in steals (1.6). did.
He thrived on the big stage, averaging 12.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists in the first four NCAA Tournament games of his career.
The move also benefited him financially.
Estrada was able to help his mother, Brianna Melton, financially.
He helped her buy a much-needed new car and was able to pay for her family to attend all the NCAA tournament games and hotel accommodations.
They will arrive in Glendale, Ariz., when Alabama takes on top-seeded Connecticut at State Farm Stadium.
“It’s like a dream,” Melton said. “It’s definitely everything we envisioned, but so much more.”
None of this would happen without Hofstra. Estrada developed into one of the best middle guards in the country at Long Island. When he arrived there, he had lost his confidence after a season in which he barely played at Oregon State. The coaching staff played a huge role in his success even after he finished playing with the team.
“From the moment they started recruiting Aaron, they really made us feel at ease. Family, literally Hofstra is family,” she said. “I kept in touch with their coaching staff and they sent us Christmas cards and stuff. The most important thing is they helped Aaron. He’s a top priority for them. He was the center of attention. They got his confidence back and helped him become great.”
Estrada’s ascension is also helping Hofstra.
He’s going to be in the news this week and the school will obviously use him as an example of what playing for the Pride can do for future transfers.
It’s the nature of the sport right now that makes programs like Hofstra a feeder system for high majors like Alabama.
However, Claxton showed that he developed transfer players like Estrada, Tyler Thomas (Sacred Heart), and Darling Stone Duver (Iowa State) into star players, and he won three 20-win seasons in his three years as head coach. Like, it could work for them too.
“He really made a name for himself when he was here with us. Stories will continue to be told about his journey and we are a huge part of his journey.” Claxton said. “We have that blueprint. [Dubar] is trying to do it, Jaquan Carlos is trying to do it too. The path is there. Come to Hofstra, develop into a really good player, and we’ll do what’s best for you. ”
It couldn’t have gone much better for Aaron Estrada.
