prior to his nba career, claxton played at hofstra university under current villanova university coach jay wright. at hofstra, claxton led the flying dutchmen to the america east championship, where they defeated the university of delaware in the championship game at hofstra arena. the team was defeated in the first round of the 2000 ncaa tournament by an oklahoma state team led by desmond mason, claxton's future nba teammate with the charlotte hornets.