GREENSBORO, N.C. – De'Monte Buckingham stands out for a multitude of reasons inside of the UNC Greensboro (UNCG) practice facility.
 
He's an athletic marvel. A tenacious rebounder. Capable scorer. Strong defender.
 
Yet, while he's showcased those facets of his game during the first week of practice for the Spartans, Buckingham's biggest and most easily recognizable visual is his trademark headband. One he's worn since high school thanks to some persistence and motivation.
 
"Growing up I always used to watch LeBron James and his headband just always made him stood out from others along with his style of play," Buckingham said. "So. my 10th grade year in high school, I asked my coach Vance Harmon if I could I wear a headband this season? And his first response was no because he wanted everybody on the team to look the same no matter what.
 
"But I kept worrying him about it and then he decided to make a deal with me. The deal was for me to get a 3.0 or higher before the season started, which I did and I have been wearing the headband ever since then. I feel like it is my trademark now because everyone knows me for wearing it."
 
UNCG fans will appreciate watching Buckingham's skills this upcoming season. He arrives to Greensboro after making an impact at both Cal State-Bakersfield and Richmond where he earned Atlantic-10 Rookie of the Year honors. Buckingham brings a calming and experienced presence to the Spartans.
 
In addition to the 1,294 career points he has scored, the Richmond native has reached double figures 59 times. He has also hit for 20 or more points nine times, including a career-best 28 in a contest against Georgetown while as a member of Richmond.
 
Buckingham has a degree in communications and is pursuing a master's in African Diaspora Studies. He has adjusted well to the Spartan program under first-year head coach Mike Jones. The Spartans have been practicing for a week as they prep for the 2021-22 campaign.
 
"I can definitely say the first week of practice was amazing," Buckingham said. "Getting out there with a special group of guys that love to go hard is the best feeling ever. We were all excited to get the first week started because we have been hungry since the summer.

"My adjustment to UNCG has been incredible, especially alongside Coach Mike Jones, who pushes me every single day to be better than I was yesterday. I know he is a coach that believes in me and knows what I can do on the floor, so I feel like making this decision for my last year was only right."
 
UNCG opens the season on Tuesday, November 9 against North Carolina A&T at the Greensboro Coliseum. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.

SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
Season tickets for the upcoming 2021-22 UNC Greensboro men's and women's basketball campaigns are available now for both renewals and for new purchasers.  Men's basketball season ticket holders will also be able to purchase women's basketball season tickets at a discounted price of $40 per ticket.  

All season ticket holders who renewed from the 2019-20 season will have the first right of refusal to their same seats for the upcoming 2021-22 season.  Season ticket holders who donated their 2020-21 ticket money to Shield our Future or rolled it over will receive a season ticket discount.
 
All renewal invoices are being distributed digitally this year and can be accessed through your UNCG Ticketmaster Account.  You can CLICK HERE to access your account or if you don't have a Ticketmaster Account you can SET ONE UP HERE. The deadline to renew your season tickets is October 1, 2021. To keep the same seats, payment must be received in full, or your account must be enrolled in one of the available interest-free payment plan options by the deadline.  
 
New season ticket holders seat allocation will take place after the October 1 renewal deadline.  
 
UNCG Athletics is transitioning to exclusively mobile-only ticketing. Mobile ticketing provides a seamless way for season ticket holders to fully manage their tickets. As we get closer to the start of the season, we will send you information on how to download your tickets to your mobile wallet, transfer tickets to a friend and much more.
  
2021-22 UNCG Basketball Season Ticket Prices
Men's Basketball (14 of 15 games at the Greensboro Coliseum)
$500 for courtside seats
$199 for risers
$159 for lower level
$129 for faculty/staff
 
Women's Basketball
$50 for a general admission season ticket.
$45 for a youth/senior general admission season ticket
 
This past spring, we rolled out a new benefits chart with updated parking information.  We have made an additional update to parking at the $1,500 (Fighting Spartan) level. Click HERE to see the updated Spartan Club parking map and benefits chart. 
 
Season ticket holders can opt out without penalty. Those who choose to opt out MUST renew their season ticket and pay in full by the October 1 deadline to keep their seats for the 2022-23 season.  They will be able to carry credit over to the 2022-23 season.
 
If you have any questions on renewing or purchasing tickets or how to set up your Ticketmaster account, please contact James Nance, Director of Marketing and Game Operations or Jessica Stender, Senior Account Executive, Ticket Sales, at 336-334-3250.