He is known for being the first African-American to play on the Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team.

[2][3] Claiborne is originally from Danville, Virginia, where he attended John Langston High School.

During his senior year in 1965, he was class president as well as captain of the baseball and basketball teams.

He made his first start in a January 1967 victory over Penn State, after head coach Vic Bubas suspended nine of his players.

[2][4] In 1969, he played in a triple-overtime win against Duke's biggest rival, North Carolina.