Clemson Guard Greg "Ace" Buckner Channels Father’s Legacy in Strong Debut

There were a lot of new faces on the Clemson basketball team on Monday night because the roster was flipped after last season with the loss of 11 players (six transfers). But what was familiar to the fans were senior guard Dillon Hunter, senior forward RJ Godfrey, who returned to Clemson after a year at Georgia, and for fans of the program since 1994, a certain name and number that stirred memories of the past. 

The Tigers took the floor in their ‘90s throwback jerseys, and the name Buckner appeared again across the back of No. 21.

Only this time, the nameplate read 'Buckner II.'

On this night in 2025, it was redshirt freshman guard Greg “Ace” Buckner, son of Clemson legend Greg Buckner, who led the Tigers in scoring just as his father did countless times from 1994–1998. The Dallas, Texas native poured in 18 points, adding three rebounds, two assists, and a blocked shot to lead Clemson to a season-opening 88-38 win over New Hampshire and a glimpse into what could be the next great chapter in the Buckner legacy.

Ace, who missed last season while recovering from a shoulder injury, admitted the wait wasn’t easy.

“I was happy to watch my guys win and be a part of that. But last year was definitely long, sitting on the bench and going through the injury,” Buckner said. “But being able to work and come back, it was very fun.”

Watching from the sideline can be difficult for any redshirt, especially one sidelined by injury but Buckner used his time wisely.

“I stayed in the gym, and I was just ready to play," he said. "And I feel like I showed that tonight.”

At 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, the younger Buckner showed flashes of his father’s game, powerful drives, defensive intensity, and competitiveness. He even surpassed his dad’s Clemson debut, when the elder Buckner scored 10 points with 9 assists and 5 rebounds on Nov. 29, 1994, against Charleston Southern.

Greg Buckner, a 2005 Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, starred at multiple positions for the Tigers before enjoying a decade-long NBA career and now serves as an assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks. Known for his toughness and leadership at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, those same traits appear to have been passed down.

Clemson head coach Brad Brownell saw the resemblance well before Monday’s performance.

“His dad was a hell of a player,” Brownell said last week. “He’s competitive like his dad. He might be the most competitive guy on our team. He’s as competitive as anybody day-to-day.”

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That competitive fire is something Buckner takes pride in.

“I just hate to lose,” he stated. “And I’ve always hated to lose when it comes to anything, basketball or not. I come from a big family, so just losing is not a big part of my life.”

Buckner also made an impression defensively, showing flashes of being a full-court pest something Brownell values as much as his scoring.

“You don’t always play hard. You’ve got to play smart, too,” Brownell said when asked about Buckner's defensive capabilities. “It’s both to be good, and so he’s learning that. But again, he brings competitive spirit, energy to your team, toughness to your team, will to win, very strong -- just like his father.”

Buckner’s connection to his father has even inspired some playful teasing among teammates. Hunter joked last week that the team had started calling him “Greg,” despite his preference for “Ace.”

“I don’t know where that came from,” Buckner laughed after the game. “Nobody in the locker room has called me Greg. But that’s cool if they want to call me Greg. That’s fine.”

Sitting beside him, Godfrey grinned and added, “They were calling you Gregory tonight. You didn’t hear it on the bench.”

Buckner responded. “But I mean, it’s my name. So, I don’t have too much problems with it.”

The friendly banter continued, as Godfrey couldn’t resist taking a lighthearted jab.

“Yeah, it’s nothing wrong with being called Greg, right? It’s a beautiful name."

Ace fired back at RJ, who is also named after his father, Randall Godfrey, the former Georgia Bulldogs and Dallas Cowboys linebacker: 

“And his name’s Randall.”

Whatever name he goes by — Greg, Gregory, or Ace — the last name Buckner carries weight around Clemson. And if Monday night was any indication, it’s a name the ACC will be hearing plenty more of this season.

“I think he’s a guy that will really improve throughout the year,” Brownell said. “And I think he’ll have a very bright Clemson future.”