Buckner Receives Clemson Degree

CLEMSON, SC – Former Clemson basketball star Greg Buckner earned his undergraduate degree from Clemson University on Friday.  Buckner last played for the Tigers during the 1997-98 season, but worked on his degree while playing in the NBA for 10 years, and over the last two years as an assistant coach.

Buckner is now an assistant with the Houston Rockets.  He earned his degree in Technology and Human Resource Development.

Named to Clemson’s all-time team this past year in conjunction with the 100-year Anniversary of Clemson basketball, Buckner was the first player in Clemson history to start on four postseason tournament teams.  That included NCAA Tournament teams in 1995-96, 1996-97 and 1997-98.  He led Clemson in scoring all four years, just the fifth player in ACC history to do it.

Ranked fourth in Clemson history in scoring with 1754 points, he started 122 consecutive games between 1994-98, every game of the Rick Barnes era. He had 97 double figure scoring games, tied with Elden Campbell and former teammate Terrell McIntyre for the all-time record.

Buckner was a two-time All-ACC player.  He helped Clemson to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in 1997.  He is most remembered for his dunk with 0.6 seconds left to defeat North Carolina in 1996 ACC Tournament in Greensboro.

He was a second round draft choice of the Dallas Mavericks in 1998.  He retired from the NBA in 2009.  He was inducted into the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.

Buckner was one of two former greats who graduated on Friday.  Former men’s soccer All-American Wolde Harris also received his degree.  He is Clemson’s career scoring leader with 76 goals.

Also graduating on Friday were Jason Stolz, the record setting shortstop on Clemson’s baseball team this year, former football player Bryce McNeal, who will play his final year of eligibility at the University of Louisville in 2012, and former Clemson pitcher Justin Sarratt.