Moments after bringing his alma mater back to conference championship glory for the first time since he was a player, Hofstra University men’s basketball head coach Speedy Claxton paused amid the celebration to reflect on something more enduring than any trophy: the relationships with his college teammates that he cultivated decades ago.

“I won championships on a high school level, college level and professional level, and my collegiate championship meant most to me,” Claxton said during the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) trophy presentation on CBS Sports’ postgame show. “I speak to zero of my high school teammates, zero of my professional teammates and I still speak to a lot of my college teammates.”

It is clear that it wasn’t all about the basketball itself, though. Rather, it was about the chemistry that Hofstra’s 2000 America East Championship team built off the court, in the moments they spent outside the gym together.

“We hung out off the court,” Claxton said. “We did a lot of things together as a group, and I think that ultimately helped us on the court.”

One of the teammates from Claxton’s collegiate period, Jay Hernandez – a guard for the Pride from 1998 to 2001 who is now an assistant coach for the Brooklyn Nets – strengthened this notion.

“I think our chemistry off court definitely helped us with winning that America East Championship in 2000 because we just were able to talk to each other,” Hernandez said. “There were no feelings getting hurt; we could address issues right away if there were any on the court, and they got rectified right away … I think it was easier for us to pull for each other, figure out what our roles were … I think that’s what really helped us get over the hump and finally win that championship.”

Norman Richardson – the second leading scorer on Hofstra’s 2000 Championship team – remembered the closeness of the team and painted a picture of what life was like.

“I hung out with my teammates pretty often,” Richardson said. “We had a very, very close relationship. We hung out a lot; we went to parties; we did the typical college thing … chased girls, went to class together … Whatever we needed to do, we did it together.”

Richardson recalled many fond memories, yet it’s one specific memory that encapsulated that bond between teammates, and it came just hours after taking home that conference title in 2000.

“The game was over by 1 [p.m.],” Richardson said. “By 3 p.m., we were all headed to one of the local bars across the street from Hofstra named Bogarts – one of our spots that we could hang out at after games … We all went out there, and I think we were there from 3 [p.m.] to 4 [p.m.] until after midnight … It was a huge party; everyone was so excited for our team, the community was incredible … That was probably the most fun I had while at Hofstra, and that was something we did as a team … It’s something I will never forget, and I tell my kids about it to this day.”

On the other hand, Hernandez’s favorite memory with his Hofstra teammates and coaches is a quieter moment of connection.

“We spent time at Coach [Jay] Wright’s house for the holidays,” Hernandez said. “For Christmas … everybody got random gifts. I still have the ornament from Patty Wright – coach Wright’s wife – from that day, and it still goes up on my Christmas tree to this day … so that was a great time for us to spend together.”

Along with these off-court memories, the years they had together are what Claxton attributes the lasting friendships to – particularly when compared to the players on college teams nowadays in the era of Name Image and Likeness and the transfer portal.

“Back then, we were together for multiple years,” Claxton said. “That team I was on that won a championship, we were together for three years.”

There’s one final factor that Claxton thinks strengthened the bond they forged.

“I think we’ve stayed close because of how hard it is to win a mid-major championship,” Claxton said. “We kinda fell short the first two years, but we pushed through that last year … That championship meant so much more than when I won a championship in the NBA.”

All these years later, Richardson couldn’t be happier that he and his teammates have remained friends.

“Like [Claxton] said … we still speak to this day, and that’s something I’m extremely, extremely grateful for,” Richardson said. “I thought it was the most important thing that we all were able to do: [to be able to] create lifetime bonds and friendships that we are able to cherish to this day.”

As a player, Claxton learned that winning a conference championship can act as kindling for lifelong friendships. Now, as the head coach at his alma mater, he has carried this mentality forward, imprinting it on his players after leading the Pride to another conference crown.

“This is a special moment for you guys; I hope you guys realize that,” Claxton said. “This will forever bond you guys.”

From the outside looking in, Richardson sees a reflection of the 2000 team in the 2026 squad, specifically in the star guards and their trust in their teammates.

“I do see some parallels between our team and this 2026 squad,” Richardson said. “What I see is that togetherness, an attitude, a trust factor … Cruz Davis was the player of the year in the conference … He didn’t play up to his standards in the last two games [of the CAA Championships], but he trusted his teammates to make huge plays in order for them to get where they needed to go. He fouled out in the semifinals, and you can see the team trusted other players to step up … We had the same thing during our years when we made it to the tournament … [Claxton] obviously always played very well in those big moments, but I think me, Hernandez [and] Roberto Gittens played a huge role in some of those games as well, and that was because [Claxton] trusted us.”

Hofstra’s CAA Championship and Claxton’s elation have Hernandez and Richardson feeling a reinvigorated connection to their teammates and a refreshed feeling of Hofstra pride.

“I couldn’t be happier for [Claxton], seeing the joy he has in this moment,” Hernandez said. “Me and the rest of the teammates are talking about it, and other people around our basketball team from that time are talking about it, so it’s really cool to see and feel like we’re a part of it … We’re definitely gonna be supporting and watching [the first round] …The other day, I was in Atlanta on the road and got to see Duane Posey and Richardson. We were just telling stories and … [talking about] how much it means to us that Hofstra is back in the big dance.”

Hernandez was unable to comment on current college players due to his role in the NBA. Before the championship began, Richardson was proudly optimistic that this 2026 team would deliver Hofstra’s very first NCAA Tournament win.

“I sure hope that this group has what it takes,” Richardson said. “We never had the chance to [win an NCAA Tournament game]. I think this group is in a position to do it because they have outstanding guard play … Davis and Preston Edmead … those two guys are an incredibly gifted backcourt who control the game, and they have fantastic players around them … I have my fingers crossed … I can’t wait to be in Tampa, [Florida], to watch them.”

The last championship created bonds that have outlasted any win or loss, and as Hofstra returns to the national stage a quarter century later, the current and former members of the Pride get to share something just as special.