Dec. 17, 2007
By: Brian Siegrist, Assistant Director Athletic Communications
The numbers, they are impressive. With more than 1,400 points and 700 rebounds he is destined to finish his career among the top three all-time in both categories at Penn State. Throw in a prodigious number of steals and blocks and he is quickly closing on becoming just the second Nittany Lion to finish his career ranked in the top 10 all-time in all four categories.
But the first thing you should know about senior Geary Claxton is his response when asked what his most memorable moment at Penn State has been so far in a recent Big Ten Network interview. With a career high 31-point outing at Seton Hall, or numerous double-doubles in the Big Ten Tournament or other outstanding individual performances to choose from he predictably selected the Nittany Lions stunning upset of No. 6 Illinois in Champaign in 2006. The real insight came when the follow up question was if he could recall his statistics from that game. Make no mistake, he played very well (20 points, six rebounds and an epic reverse jam off an alley-oop that has played endlessly on Penn State highlight reels since), but the question threw him. He paused, reflected for a few moments, thought hard and haltingly tried to answer.
"I think I might have had 20," he said in a hesitant, barely audible voice.
Then he broke into a wide, engaging grin. "I just know it felt really, really good to win."
Winning is what has driven one of the most talented and decorated players in the history of the program since he arrived on campus in the 2004-05 season and promptly went to work leading the team in scoring and earning Big Ten All-Freshman team honors. He has led the team in scoring every season since and ranked among the top five in scoring and rebounding in the Big Ten the last two seasons earning All-Big Ten recognition both years and firmly establishing himself among the top players in the conference.
But, it's not his individual legacy that concerns him as the Naismith Trophy candidate and preseason All-Big Ten team selection runs full bore into a senior campaign that he started with back-to-back double-doubles.
"I just want to get this program off on the right foot before I leave," he said. "I just want to start winning so when I leave the program and Coach "D" are in good shape."
Ed DeChellis, or Coach "D", stole a gem right out of the backyard of the Connecticut Huskies when he convinced an athletic kid out of West Haven, Conn., to be a part of his first full Penn State recruiting class and become the cornerstone of a program turnaround.
"Connecticut didn't recruit me," the now 6-5, 225-pound Claxton said, shrugging his bulging, broad shoulders. "I don't know why, but it couldn't have worked out any better. I'm blessed to have come to Penn State and couldn't be any happier."
Claxton, who was an invited attendee of special camps run by the NBA's Lebron James and Vince Carter during the summer for elite college players and spent time guarding James in scrimmages, has worked to improve his game, adding range to his jump shot and variety to his slashing offense, and produce more happy endings for Penn State fans.
"Geary has always been one of our hardest workers and he's obviously very talented," DeChellis said. "What we've tried to emphasize to him is to make other guys better, and I think in the first couple of games, he's done a really good job of making other guys better on the team." He has also worked to increase his vocal leadership on the team, something that doesn't come naturally to the soft spoken Claxton who is more inclined to lead by example.
"He's talked more and gotten guys in huddles more this year than in the previous three combined," DeChellis said. "I think it just comes with maturity. The seniors know this is their team and they need to lead and he has really taken on that role."
Claxton hit 4-of-7 threes in the first two games of the season, showing the results of his off-season work, and continued to dominate the glass averaging 10 rebounds per game in under 25 minutes per contest. Despite his relatively mid-range stature, he has used his tenacity and 84-inch wing span to rank among the top three offensive rebounders in the Big Ten every year of his career.
"I think when he shoots the ball well from the perimeter, he's really hard to guard, because he can post up and score," DeChellis said. "I'm impressed with Geary defensively, too. We always talk about his numbers on the offensive end, but I think he's been a great defender for us and a great rebounder, and he's led the break at times and got other guys shots."