Flynn Clayman's Rise as a Mid-Major Basketball Coach Before becoming a prominent figure in mid-major basketball, Flynn Clayman was a rising assistant coach at one of Utah’s six Division I universities. Now, as the head coach of the High Point Panthers, he is making waves in the NCAA tournament, leading his team into the second round against fourth-seeded Arkansas. The 37-year-old coach’s energetic presence and unconventional approach have captured the attention of fans and even former NBA star Charles Barkley, who jokingly suggested that Barkley might use his remaining college eligibility to play for Clayman’s team. Clayman’s journey to this point has been marked by steady progression. He joined High Point, a private Methodist-affiliated university in North Carolina, less than three years ago. However, his ascent began earlier, during his first job as a graduate assistant at Southern Utah University (SUU). There, he met his wife, Katie Clayman, who is now also an assistant women’s basketball coach at High Point. Their partnership has played a significant role in his success, as Katie’s experience and dedication complemented Clayman’s coaching style. The Panthers’ senior point guard, Rob Martin, described Clayman as “insane,” a term he quickly clarified was meant in jest. Martin praised Clayman’s ability to motivate his players, noting that the team’s hard work and trust in their coach have been key to their recent success. “He brings it each and every day,” Martin said. “Our guys love him. We work hard. Super proud of him for believing in us, trusting us to go out there and make the plays.” Clayman’s reputation as a passionate and innovative coach has also earned him recognition from peers.#high_point_panthers #flynn_clayman #charles_barkley #katie_clayman #southern_utah_university
Big South Men’s Preview: Signs Point to High Point High Point men’s basketball Mon, March 2, 2026 at 3:51 PM UTC· High Point had struggled for more than two decades to reach the Big Dance before finally breaking through last year. As the Big South Men’s Tournament approaches in Johnson City, Tennessee, High Point appears poised to repeat as champions, having lost just four games all season and only one contest in conference play. That single loss came to second-place Winthrop, which kept the Eagles in contention for the title until the final weeks of the season. High Point (15-1, 27-4 overall) The Panthers entered the season with a new coach and a reshaped roster, yet they quickly established themselves as the league’s most dominant team. After losing their former head coach, Alan Huss, and eight of their top nine scorers, new coach Flynn Clayman orchestrated a turnaround by building a high-powered offense and defense through the transfer portal. Despite losing their leading scorer, Terry Anderson, who averaged under five points per game last season, High Point remains a powerhouse. The team leads the nation in turnover margin and has won 11 consecutive games since their loss to Winthrop in January. Winthrop (13-3, 21-10 overall) Winthrop remained competitive with High Point throughout the season, narrowing the gap until a late-season two-point road loss to High Point sealed their fate. The Eagles are bolstered by breakout star Logan Duncomb, a potential Player of the Year candidate who averaged 18.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per game after struggling in his first three seasons. Surrounding Duncomb are scoring guards like Kareem Rozier, who averages 13.3 points and 3.4 assists, and a team that shoots more free throws than any other in the league.#high_point #big_south #flynn_clayman #logan_duncomb #kareem_rozier
