LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The championship resume of former Northeast Mississippi Community College men's basketball standout Leroy Buchanan continues to grow even larger.
Buchanan helped the Memphis Grizzlies win the 2019 National Basketball Association (NBA) Summer League title with a victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the finals.
"This doesn't surprise me one bit," said Tigers head coach Cord Wright. "He has always been a winner. That's what he does. I'm just so proud of him and how professional he has been in representing Northeast."
Buchanan was one of the top 10 scorers for the Grizzlies, who went 8-2 in 10 summer games, with 5.3 points per outing. He was a 40.8 percent shooter overall with 20 made field goals in 49 attempts.
The Madison native averaged 14.4 minutes and accumulated totals of 48 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, five steals and four blocks in nine appearances between the NBA's offseason events in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City.
Buchanan made his lone start against the Boston Celtics on July 11. He posted summer-bests of 13 points, including a 6 of 11 showing from the floor, plus three assists, two steals and a pair of boards in 25 minutes.
He wowed crowds and made the rounds across social media throughout the NBA Summer League with multiple highflying dunks, including a sweet left-handed slam on a baseline drive during the Grizzlies' semifinal win over New Orleans.
Buchanan also showcased his athleticism versus the Celtics. He quickly moved past a Boston defender outside the three-point arc and raced straight to the hoop to throw down a contested thunderous jam.
"It felt good just to win a championship as a pro," Buchanan said. "We just came together and had one goal. It was great bonding with all the new guys. I got along with them great and contributed well."
The 6-3, 190-pound guard opened his sensational collegiate career at Northeast from 2015-17. He guided the Tigers to a major championship during his pair of seasons on the Booneville campus.
Buchanan finished his tenure at Northeast with 927 points, which equates to 16.3 per game, in 57 consecutive starts. He averaged 6.3 rebounds, three assists and 1.8 steals as well.
He lifted the Tigers to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 23 crown as a freshman and the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) North Division title during his sophomore campaign.
Buchanan had six double-doubles during his stay in the City of Hospitality and recorded a career-high 34 points in his final appearance for Northeast in the 2017 NJCAA Region 23 Tournament championship tilt against Jones College.
He was a three-time MACJC Player of the Week, a two-time MACJC All-State selection and the seventeenth NJCAA All-American in program history. Buchanan also became the third Tiger ever to compete in the prestigious NJCAA All-Star Game.
Buchanan continued to develop into one of the premier athletes in the country over the last two years at Murray State (Ky.) University. He started in 63 out of 65 total games for the Racers and averaged 11.3 points and 4.1 boards.
The Madison Central High School graduate was recognized as the 2019 Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Defensive Player of the Year and garnered All-OVC first-team distinction. Buchanan placed 21st all-time in Murray State's history books with 110 career steals.
He participated in March Madness twice after the Racers captured back-to-back OVC Tournament titles. Buchanan scored 32 total points in three NCAA Tournament contests, including 14 points in a second round triumph over Marquette (Wis.) University during his senior season.
Buchanan's final collegiate averages between his stops at Northeast and Murray State include 13.5 points, five rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.7 blocks in 122 outings overall.