Former Georgia basketball forward signs 4-year, $100 million contract

Former Georgia Bulldogs center Nic Claxton has signed a four-year, $100 million contract to return to the Brooklyn Nets. Claxton was the No. 31 pick in the 2019 NBA draft.

Claxton’s contract is worth more than the combined amounts of all eight of Georgia’s 2024 NFL draft picks.

The former Georgia standout is known for his ability to switch on defense. Claxton is among the NBA’s top shot blockers and will anchor Brooklyn’s core alongside Cameron Johnson after the Nets recently traded star Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks.

The 6-foot-11, 215-pound center averaged 11.8 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game in 2023-2024 with the Nets. Claxton has made nearly two-thirds (66.1%) of his shots from the field throughout his five year NBA career. Claxton has started in 147 games for Brooklyn over the past two seasons and plays just under 30 minutes per game.

Claxton, 25, will earn the second-most money of any player on the Nets behind Ben Simmons, who is set to make over $40 million in 2024-2025.

Former Georgia guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has also signed a large contract in NBA free agency. Caldwell-Pope, who is a two-time NBA champion, is signing with the Orlando Magic.