| Clay McKnight |
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Director of Operations
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Clay McKnight is in his second year on the Oregon State University basketball staff, serving as the director of operations. The position coordinates day-to-day operations within the program.
McKnight spent three seasons on Jim Boeheim's staff at Syracuse University, which included being a member of the 2003 NCAA Championship Orangemen team. During his tenure at Syracuse, the program played twice in the NCAA Tournament and once in the NIT, compiling a mark of 78-27.
McKnight played college basketball at UC Irvine, before transferring to the University of The Pacific in Stockton, Cal. He lettered three years at Pacific (1998-2000) and concluded his career as the school's all-time leader for free throw percentage at .928 (129-139). He also holds Pacific's record and is third in the NCAA for single season free throw percentage at .949 (74-78). His .419 (238/563) career mark from three-point range is also third in the Tigers' record book. McKnight also drilled a school record nine three-point field goals in a Dec. 7, 1998 game vs. Fresno State. He helped the Tigers to a 23-10 record in '98 and to the Big West Conference title.
McKnight earned several honors as a student-athlete, including being selected to the Big West Conference All-Freshman Team in 1996.
A scholastic basketball standout at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Cal., McKnight set state records for most consecutive three-point field goals (nine), and for career free throw percentage (.868). He also held the county record for career three-pointers with 131 (set in 1995) until the 2001 season. McKnight was a two-time co-MVP of the South Coast League.
McKnight is a 2000 graduate of Pacific with a degree in sports sciences. His father, Gary, has compiled a record of 661-59 in 23 years as the head coach at Mater Dei.
