GREENSBORO, N.C. – Following Sunday's shootaround before the East Tennessee State regular-season home finale, UNC Greensboro graduate student
De'Monte Buckingham shared a long hug with first-year head coach
Mike Jones at center court.
The special moment was witnessed by a few team members and coaches. The eight second hug could've been longer. It was symbolic because Jones has spent plenty of moments embracing the 6-foot, 4-inch guard from Richmond, Virginia following his sterling performances for the Spartans during the 2021-22 season.
Jones has another reason to display some affection after Buckingham was selected to the All-Southern Conference Media Association Third Team Wednesday afternoon.
"It means everything to join this gritty and tough program," Buckingham said. "I knew this was the place for me because I knew I was going to be around hardworking guys every day. The best part of being a Spartan was for me going out and competing with my brothers."
Buckingham helped UNCG win 17 games in his only year as a Spartan. UNCG earned the No. 6 seed and will battle No. 3 seed Samford in a quarterfinal at the Harrah's Cherokee Asheville arena Saturday night at 8:30 p.m.
He leads the Spartans in scoring (12.3 points per game) and rebounding (6.3 per game). In addition to ranking ninth in the SoCon in rebounding, Buckingham is fourth in the SoCon in 3-point field goal percentage (42.4), seventh in defensive rebounding (4.8), and 11th in 3-pointers made per game (2.1).
Some of Buckingham's top performances this season was a career-high tying 28-point effort against North Carolina A&T during a 57-53 season-opening victory. He tallied 25 points in an 80-76 road win at ETSU that included a halfcourt halftime buzzer beater. Buckingham scored the game-winning basket with 21 seconds remaining in a 70-69 overtime road win over Northern Kentucky.
He also had 21 points and 10 rebounds against Florida International. His 20-point effort at Towson featured a stretch in which he scored eight points in 18 seconds. Buckingham scored his 1,500th career point in a road win over Furman at 1:04 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Overall, Buckingham has scored in double digits 20 times this season. He has finished with at least seven rebounds 16 times. Buckingham had 10 or more rebounds, including a season-best 12 against Coppin State and UMass, four times. Buckingham leads UNCG with 61 3-pointers.
A couple of statistical oddities for Buckingham this season. He has scored in double figures in points in the second half of games eight times this season. During a crucial two-game road sweep of Furman and Western Carolina, Buckingham scored all 26 points after intermission.
Buckingham scored UNCG's first basket in four straight games from Jan. 13-26 (Mercer, Chattanooga, Samford and ETSU). Three of those baskets were 3-pointers (Mercer, Chattanooga and ETSU).
"He's a journeyman, and he's been around a little bit," Jones said. "By the grace of God, after recruiting him three times, I finally got a chance to coach him. I told him the other day what a joy to coach and be around him every day. The passion and energy he brings to our team, along with the intangibles and leadership stuff he brings is a blessing. It's been a fun year, and I am grateful he's part of our program.
"I'm really happy for Buck because he put in so much work over the summer and fall, and throughout the season, to earn this distinction. He is great to coach because he works hard, does exactly what's asked of him, doesn't complain and tries to lead. What more can you ask of a player? We root for the success of people like him."
SoCon Sports Media Association
Malcolm U. Pitt Player of the Year
Malachi Smith, So., G, Chattanooga
Freshman of the Year
Jason Roche, F, The Citadel
Anton Foy Coach of the Year
Bucky McMillan, Samford
First team
Hayden Brown, Gr., F, The Citadel
Jalen Slawson, Sr., F, Furman
Ques Glover, So., G, Samford
Malachi Smith, So., G, Chattanooga
Jake Stephens, Sr., C, VMI
Second team
Mike Bothwell, Sr., G, Furman
Felipe Haase, Sr., F, Mercer
David Jean-Baptiste, Gr., G, Chattanooga
Kamdyn Curfman, Jr., G, VMI
B.J. Mack, Jr., F, Wofford
Third team
Ledarrius Brewer, Gr., G, ETSU
Jordan King, So., G, ETSU
De'Monte Buckingham, Gr., G, UNCG
Trey Bonham, So., G, VMI
Max Klesmit, So., G, Wofford
All-freshman team
Jason Roche, F, The Citadel
Mohab Yasser, G, ETSU
Jordan Jones, G, Mercer
Honor Huff, G, VMI
Marcus Banks, G, Western Carolina
SoCon Coaches
Player of the Year
Malachi Smith, So., G, Chattanooga
Freshman of the Year
Jason Roche, F, The Citadel
Defensive Player of the Year
Jalen Slawson, Sr., F, Furman
Coach of the Year
Lamont Paris, Chattanooga
First team
Mike Bothwell, Sr., G, Furman
Jalen Slawson, Sr., F, Furman
Ques Glover, So., G, Samford
Malachi Smith, So., G, Chattanooga
Jake Stephens, Sr., C, VMI
Second team
Hayden Brown, Gr., F, The Citadel
Ledarrius Brewer, Gr., G, ETSU
Felipe Haase, Sr., F, Mercer
David Jean-Baptiste, Gr., G, Chattanooga
B.J. Mack, Jr., F, Wofford
Third team
Jordan King, So., G, ETSU
David Sloan, Gr., G, ETSU
Trey Bonham, So., G, VMI
Kamdyn Curfman, Jr., G, VMI
Nicholas Robinson, Gr., G, Western Carolina
Max Klesmit, So., G, Wofford
All-freshman team
Jason Roche, F, The Citadel
Mohab Yasser, G, ETSU
Jordan Jones, G, Mercer
Honor Huff, G, VMI
Marcus Banks, G, Western Carolina
