Quinton Ray was the first recruit signed by new Campbell head coach Kevin McGeehan in May 2013. Fast forward almost four years and the guard from nearby Middle Creek High School has played a large role in the program's growth. He started every game at point guard during his freshman season and is on pace to finish among the school's all-time top-10 leaders in games played. Now in his final semester as a collegiate student-athlete, Ray took a few minutes to reflect on his time in Buies Creek. 

Can you believe how fast the last three and one-half years have gone?
"They told me it was going to go fast my freshman year, but I didn't think it was going to go this fast. This came up really quick. It's actually here.  I'm in my last semester of college. This is my last go-round." 

What's your course load like this semester?
"I'm really just finishing off some elective hours now. Going to summer school helps you speed up the process, getting into your major earlier." 

What's the most interesting course you've taken?
"I've had some good classes, so it's hard to choose just one. My converged media class would probably be my favorite. You learn about how everything is moving so fast in social media and how things are connected." 

What are your plans following graduation in May?
"I hopefully will be in either marketing or get into coaching. I love basketball and I like helping out younger kids." 

What's the key to being a good coach?
"If you connect with your players, they'll do whatever you need them to do. If you have a good connection with your coach, you'll say 'he trusts me and I trust him.' So that's a good situation to be in." 

Your father is a coach, what have you learned from him?
"All the players love him. In (Middle Creek) high school, he may coach football, but it doesn't matter what team it is, they love Coach Ray. He doesn't treat anybody different. He treats everybody the same. Everybody knows he's going to give you the "real" of every situation. He really likes helping out kids. His job at school is helping out with behavior (challenged) kids. He wants kids to stay in school and further their education. Sports helps kids stay out of trouble, so he tries to get kids to come out and play football and stop getting in trouble at school. He'll come get you out of class and talk with you about a situation." 

We are now in the midst of NFL playoff season. Do you ever miss playing football like you did in high school?
"Sometimes I miss the lights. Being in a game-time situation is what I miss, not (pre-season practice)." 

What are the biggest changes you've seen in the Campbell Basketball program since you arrived in the summer of 2013?
"It's definitely evolved into a more tight-knit group. All the players like being together. Even outside of practice we hang out. In my freshman year, there were little cliques, but as the years have gone on, you can actually see on the court that this team is more together. There's a different feel." 

Why do you think that is?
"People take on their roles. With the leaders we have now, if you mess up, you'll hear about it from a leader instead of always hearing about it from a coach.  Me, Ky (Kyre' Hamer), and Jake (Jacob Talbert) are captains. We have to keep everybody doing what they're supposed to do. But we have to hold up our end of the bargain so they'll listen to us. We've become more of a voice in the locker room. If someone has a situation, they'll come talk to us, instead of always going to talk to a coach.  We have that relationship with the players that they trust us and believe what we say. There's more trust on the team." 

What do you tell recruits when they come on campus?
"I tell them this is a great place. For a small school like this, it's a great opportunity to excel in school and in basketball. We're in a good conference and you can get a good education at Campbell." 

What has it meant to you to attend college and play basketball near home?
"I love it that people from back home can come see me play all the time. I can be a positive role model for the young kids where I'm from and they see me doing this. They've come to games. When I go back home, I see them working toward their goals. They see that somebody from where I come from went to a good school and played college basketball. But I tell them that you've got to have the grades and to work on your craft to get there. It isn't just going to happen."

What are some of your best memories of your career so far at Campbell?
"Playing at Cincinnati, NC State, Ohio State, Oklahoma State. Playing in the big games. Going to see what their facilities look like. Getting to travel to the different colleges we do."