Basketball

The North Little Rock Board of Education accepted the Superintendent’s recommendation to hire Mr. Nathan Clayborn as Head Varsity Boys Basketball Coach.  In addition, he will continue his role as a Physical Education Teacher at the school.

Coach Clayborn succeeds Coach Johnny Rice, who, after ten seasons, is retiring at the end of this school year.  Coach Rice leaves a lasting legacy of excellence that is a tribute to his leadership. 

Coach Clayborn has been a staple in the North Little Rock School District and with the athletic program.  He joined NLRSD in 2004, where he served as the Head Basketball Coach and Chair of the Physical Education Department at Lakewood Middle School.  As Department Chair, he supervised other teachers and evaluated lesson plans.  In 2012, he became an Assistant Boys Basketball Coach at North Little Rock High School.  As Assistant Coach, he helped to oversee successful seasons, leading to state basketball championships in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, and 2022.  In 2017, the Arkansas Basketball Coaches Association named him “Assistant Coach of the Year.”

Coach Clayborn served as Head Varsity Basketball Coach at Marion High School for one season.

Coach Clayborn’s overall coaching record is 353 wins and 81 losses.

Coach Clayborn earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Education, a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University.

“I am excited about this next chapter – to lead the Charging Wildcat Boys Basketball Team,” said Coach Clayborn.  “I look forward to continuing my role in developing these young men to be exceptional student-athletes.”

“I commend Coach Clayborn on becoming Head Basketball Coach,” said Dr. Gregory J. Pilewski, Superintendent of the North Little Rock School District.  “Because of the success of this athletic program, we attracted applicants from across the country to apply for this position.  Coach Clayborn’s skills, long-term vision, and commitment to academic achievement are what make him the best organizational fit in order to accelerate our basketball program to its next level,” he added.  

Coach Clayborn is married to his wife, Diamond, and they have a young son, Nathan Clayborn III, or “Trey.”