Former Tigers Begin 2003-04 NBA Season

Oct. 30, 2003

The NBA season is officially here, and though the spotlight has been fixated squarely on rookie LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, there are a few former Tigers making contributions on the hardwood this season.

Five former Tigers made their respective team’s opening night roster. Dale Davis of the Portland Trailblazers, Horace Grant of the LA Lakers, and Elden Campbell of the Detroit Pistons have all seen their first action of the 2003-04 campaign. Two other Clemson alums, the Philadelphia 76ers Greg Buckner and the Washington Wizards Chris Whitney did not see action but are on NBA rosters.

Dale Davis saw 30 minutes of action in the Trailblazers’ opening match-up with the Utah Jazz. Davis, who was selected as the 13th overall pick in 1991 NBA draft, hauled in seven rebounds, one steal, and four points in Portland’s game one loss to the Jazz.

Horace Grant, who has won more championships (four), than any other former Clemson athlete, put in 20 minutes worth of work on opening night. Grant put up three points, two assists, and one block shot in that time. He also had five rebounds in the Laker victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

Elden Campbell, now with the Detroit Pistons, went 4-6 from the field and 3-4 from the charity stripe tallying 11 points in the Pistons loss to the Indiana Pacers. Campbell, in his 14th year in the league, also had four rebounds, one assist, three steals, and two blocks.

Former Tigers Chris Whitney and Greg Buckner did not play in the openers for their respective teams. Chris Whitney did not log any minutes because of a coach’s decision and Greg Buckner, who averaged six points per game last year for the 76ers, is on the injured list with a pulled hamstring.