The hype man is a unique component of a team. He’s the first one on the court after a timeout, often the last man in the gym after practice and one of the most well-liked players on the team.
But there is more to Connor Klementowicz than his celebrations and handshakes. Klementowicz is the glue that holds the Hofstra men’s basketball team together.
A native of Freehold, New Jersey, Klementowicz was a multi-sport athlete in high school. However, after years of surfing and playing soccer, it became clear that basketball was his true love.
“A lot of parents pressure their children into focusing on one sport,” Klementowicz said. “I loved all sports. Being a multi-sport athlete [gave] me advantages over my competitors. Basketball is my favorite sport, but I did not want to limit myself.”
With the help of a strong support system, Klementowicz transferred from St. Joseph’s to Gill St. Bernard’s after his sophomore year of high school. While the change was difficult, it allowed Klementowicz to grow as a player and a person.
“Transferring was a huge step,” Klementowicz said. “Leaving a school where I had so much success was rough. However, it was the right move. You have to do what you have to do for your future. In the end, it helped me.”
After a successful high school career as a scoring shooting-guard, Klementowicz had to morph into a new role in college: a supportive teammate that stays positive no matter what. While he might not fill up the stat sheet, his personality fills up the hearts of Hofstra students and fans, all while having that strong support system by his side.
“Even though I don’t always play, my parents come to every game,” Klementowicz said. “When my parents see students positively reacting to me, it makes them so proud.”
As soon as the whistle blows for a media timeout, Klementowicz makes his mark. Just like he would be going up for a rebound, Klementowicz jumps up off his chair, rushing to greet his teammates with open arms. His upbeat spirit has caught the eyes of fans, players and his coach, allowing him to become a fan favorite on the Hofstra campus.
“I can’t get 30 points a game, but I can get everybody on the team hyped,” Klementowicz said. “If Coach yells at a player, I will be there for him. If Coach is too easy on a player, I can challenge him.”
The junior’s positive, upbeat nature has evolved into an integral role on the team and has helped him formed bonds with many of the players he suits up with.
Senior Justin Wright-Foreman is one player Klementowicz grew close with over the past three seasons. A first-round National Invitation Tournament (NIT) game against George Mason University in 2014 was the start of a friendship and brotherhood.
“My first game watching Justin, he barely even played,” Klementowicz said. “To see him get better and better each year shows he deserves everything he gets. He is so clutch and so hard-working. Unbelievable.”
Since then, Wright-Foreman has emerged as one of the game’s best players. His leadership, talent and ability to single-handedly take over a game will always be remembered.
During the 2019 NIT Tournament, the Pride was matched up against perhaps the most talented team in the field, the North Carolina State Wolfpack. That did not stop Wright-Foreman from stepping up to the plate and nearly winning the game for his team.
“We were all in it to win it,” Klementowicz said. “The fact that we were about to beat an [Atlantic Coast Conference] team shows how good we are. Justin led us and being a part of that was unbelievable.”
A few weeks prior, Wright-Foreman once again pulled a rabbit from his hat, kickstarting an epic comeback that nearly secured Hofstra an NCAA Tournament bid. The game did not start well, but Klementowicz knew his team would recover.
“I was trying my hardest to get everyone going but nothing was working,” Klementowicz said. “Halftime changed everything. After halftime, we were amped and ready to win. That was right there with my favorite moments of the season. I couldn’t be [prouder] of my teammates.”
Wright-Foreman, perhaps the greatest player in Pride history, will be a huge loss. But a team featuring a young, talented core can surprise people next season and potentially get some redemption after coming up just short.
“I can’t wait to see Eli [Pemberton] grow and Desure [Buie] is by far the best point guard I have ever played with,” Klementowicz said. “I am more excited for next year than I was for this year.”
The future is indeed bright for the Pride. The team had its most successful regular season and will look to build off that success next year. While Wright-Foreman and other seniors may be leaving, Klementowicz and his teammates are ready to keep proving people wrong.
No matter what people say, this team has it all: an up-and-coming star ready to take the lead, a top point guard who leads on and off the court, a mixture of veterans and youth already forming the perfect medley and finally, equally as important, a hype man that can keep his team focused through the thick and thin.
When it is all said and done, Klementowicz is cementing his legacy as one of the most well-liked players in program history, just how he likes it.
“A player should know their role, accept their role and perfect their role,” Klementowicz said. “It makes me so happy to do what I do for the team.”
