Legacy's Nicolas Claxton chooses Georgia over USC, others

Legacy Charter School senior Nicolas Claxton announced Monday that he will sign a national letter of intent to play basketball at the University of Georgia.

Claxton, the No. 3 player in the state and a four-star prospect according to ESPN, chose Georgia over South Carolina, North Carolina State, Florida State and Baylor.

"It's where I felt the most comfortable, and I felt like the coaching staff will give me a chance to be successful," Claxton said. "It was probably one of the hardest decisions I've ever made, but I'm at peace with my decision."

Claxton's father, Charles Claxton, played at the University of Georgia and briefly with the Boston Celtics.

"We wanted it to be his choice," Charles Claxton said. "He took all of his visits, and it was his decision."

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"I've been a Bulldog all my life, and I really love Georgia," Nicolas Claxton said. "I wouldn't say my dad going to Georgia factored into it, but just me loving Georgia, that had something to do with it."

Legacy coach B.J. Jackson said, "His mom and dad went to Georgia, so it's nothing new to him wearing all that red and black over at the house."

As a junior, Claxton, a 6-foot-9, 205-pound small forward, averaged 12.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and three blocks and shot 50 percent from the field and 60 percent (36 of 60) from 3-point range.

Through four games this season, Claxton is averaging 22 points and 12 rebounds.

"Over the years, he's grown to be a great leader," Jackson said. "The biggest thing is his presence on the court and his ability to shoot the ball for his size. He causes mismatch problems. He's also a great shot blocker."

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• Brashier Middle College has hired Josh Shaw to lead its boys soccer program.

Shaw, a 2010 Christ Church graduate, was an all-state defender who helped the Cavaliers win four state championships before signing with Presbyterian College.

"School soccer is so different from CESA and all the other stuff, and he's got a lot of experience playing and being a part of school soccer," BMC athletic director Gordon Stallard said.

"The state championships are part of the deal. It's a good thing for us to have that experience and all the leadership roles that he played for them."

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