BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Ricky Clemons joined the Campbell men's basketball program as an invited walk-on in the summer of 2018.
 
Now, he is one of the best players in the Big South Conference.
 
"Everybody's looking for a story in college basketball, a unique set of circumstances, an underdog story," said Campbell head coach Kevin McGeehan.  "This one was completely organic.  We took a chance on this guy and he took a chance on us.  Ricky's deep belief in himself, his willingness to fight through adversity early, and as he got better and was a great teammate, his career turned into something unique."
 
Walk-on to all-conference award recipient.  Playing 22 minutes – total – as a freshman in 2019 to playing more minutes than anyone in the Big South Conference.
 
A fifth-year senior out of Rolesville (N.C.) High School, the 6-foot-2 guard has taken full advantage of the additional season he was granted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
Clemons closed the 2023 regular season as the only player in the Big South to rank among the top 10 scorers (eighth, 14.03) as well as the top five in assists (fifth, 3.47) and steals (fourth, 1.5).  In addition, he has scored in double figures more times in the '22-23 campaign (21) than he did in his first four seasons combined (20).
 
He scored a career-high 34 points and hit a 35-footer at the buzzer to force overtime, on Feb. 22 at Winthrop.  He added his fourth, 20-plus point outing in the regular season finale at Radford.
 
How has Clemons moved from seldom-used practice player to one of the most valuable players to his team in the league?  Hard work and a belief that his chance to contribute under the bright lights would follow as a result.
 
"At first, I wasn't sure how exactly it was going to work out because you can't control everything," said Clemons.  "But I did feel that because of how hard I work and the trust that I have in God that it would work out."
 
According to McGeehan, Clemons' determination and effort, coupled with his talent, have produced Division I all-conference results.
 
"Obviously, Ricky was blessed with physical gifts and natural talent when he came in," said McGeehan.  "But he figured out how to maximize his strengths and gifts. We've been able to see that story unfold in front of us, and now he's one of the better players in the league.  His ability to draw fouls, create for others, and on-the-ball defense are really high-level.
 
Relying on that work ethic instilled by his parents, Clemons made himself into a Division I all-conference performer. 
 
"Ever since I was a kid, my parents taught me the importance of work ethic," said Clemons.  "When I was younger, I was a little lazy, but my dad was on me a lot about putting in the work in order to get results.  I realized that more and I started to enjoy working out, watching myself get better."
 
That determination shows in the fact that entering the Big South tournament, only seven players among the nation's 363 Division I programs have attempted more free throws than Clemons.  His 145 foul shots made, and 213 attempts already stand among the top 10 in a season in Campbell's 46-year Division I era.
 
Ricky joined the program the summer before Chris Clemons (no relation) finished his Campbell career as the third-leading scoring in NCAA Division I history.  A left-handed guard, Ricky earned all-conference honors four times at Rolesville, where he averaged better than 20 points over his final two seasons.
 
With only one scholarship offer – from Division II Catawba – Clemons chose to join Campbell as a preferred walk-on over similar opportunities at other Big South and Southern Conference schools.
 
"Coach (Kevin) Smith recruited me and made it feel like home," said Clemons.  "It's also not far from home, so it was an easy decision."
 
Now in his 10th season at Campbell, head coach Kevin McGeehan has made his walk-ons a vital component of the program.  They traditionally man the scout team, running the next opponents' sets, during practice sessions.
 
Clemons did just that – and more – over his first two seasons with the team.  His dedication and defensive intensity paid off in his sophomore year of 2020, when he played in 20 games, starting six of the team's final eight outings.  His roster status also changed to "former" walk-on when Clemons was granted a scholarship before his junior season.
 
"I was happy, of course, because that was what I worked for, but more than that, I was ready.  When the opportunity came to play more, I made the most of it," said Clemons.
 
Clemons' ability to do the "dirty work" on defense, grabbing loose balls, and other tasks that don't show up in the box score provided him with a chance to earn more playing time.  After seeing action in only three games as a freshman, Clemons saw court time in only 10 of Campbell's first 21 contests of the 2019-20 season.  However, his contributions in practice were definitely noticed by the coaching staff.
 
"Basically, Ricky was a stalwart on our scout team for over a year and a half, making us better in practice," said McGeehan.  "He wasn't getting many reps in games, but he didn't go unnoticed, particularly his on the ball defense, physicality, and toughness.  Later in his sophomore year, we decided to change our mojo with some of those qualities Ricky possessed.  He just took it and ran with it."


 
Now with scholarship in hand, during the pandemic-delayed 2020-21 campaign, he led the nation in foul rate, started 22 of the team's 26 games, and led the Camels to the Big South title game.  After averaging 12.7 points and shooting 61 percent from the field in three contests, the former walk-on was named to the Big South all-tournament team.  Those numbers included a career-high 19-point effort in a semifinal win at second-seeded Radford.
 
"It's more than just putting the ball in the basket," said Clemons.  "When I was in high school, that's all I was asked to do. On the college scene, everybody can score, so it's what you can do that sets you apart.  Defense, picking up full court, taking charges, diving for loose balls, I stuck with doing that. When I'm out there, I always try to give my teammates everything I've got, and I hope they do that for me."
 
In 2021-22, Clemons started all 29 games for Campbell's team that finished second in the Big South's North Division.  He hit career highs in nearly every statistical category for the second-straight year, including scoring (9.8), rebounding (5.0) and field goal percentage (.605).
 
Not only did "Slick" produce more points, but even on a team that included 1,000-point scorers Cedric Henderson, Jr. and Jordan Whitfield, he was called on at crucial times.
 
He made the deciding basket in wins over NC A&T, Marshall and Hartford, and provided the assist on Whitfield's game-winning, buzzer-beating three at A&T.  He didn't shy away from the big stage either – scoring a season-high 18 points (7-10 field goals) at No. 9 Duke in Cameron Indoor Stadium.
 
Last October, Big South coaches noticed Clemons' impact on the team and the league by naming him to the preseason all-conference second team.
 
The former walk-on responded with his best season yet. He dealt a career-high eight assists to go along with 18 points and six rebounds in a six-point loss (73-67) at NC State.  He added a then career-best 22 points in an OT win over Stetson.
 
In Big South regular season games, Clemons ranked fourth in the league in scoring (15.0), third in assists (3.7), fifth in steals (1.3), and second in assist-turnover ratio (2.13) while playing more than 37 minutes per game (tops in the league).
 
In addition to setting an example with his performance on the court, as a fifth-year senior, Clemons has been called up to be an extension of the staff on and off the floor.
 
"It's been a transition for me because this is the first year I've been the primary leader," said Clemons.  "Last year, Jordan (Whitfield) and Austin (McCullough) were the leading guys on the team.  But it's been more of using my voice, being more of a vocal leader, than just to play hard every day."

Once again, he was called upon in clutch situations – producing a game-winning runner in OT at Charleston Southern in addition to the game-tying 3 to extend the game at Winthrop.
 
"Ricky's understanding of what we're trying to do, combined with his trust in himself and his will in the clutch," says McGeehan of what makes Clemons his go-to guy in tight situations.  "He's sure handed, has a mindset of aggression and trying to get something attacking, rather than settling, is what we look for in those situations."
 
Clemons enjoys having the opportunity to make plays in game-deciding situations but prefers that the game not come down to the final seconds.
 
"It's nice that I've got the trust of my coaches and teammates to make the plays to win these games, but I'd rather the score not be so close," said Clemons.  "If it comes down to it, I know I'm ready to make that play."
 
Wednesday's Big South tournament game against Presbyterian will mark the 110th time Clemons will step on the basketball court in a Camel uniform.  He has scored more points (924) than all but 25 players in the program's Division I era and been recognized by Big South coaches and media members as being one of the best 10 players in the league.
 
In a time where recruiting ratings are published for players in middle school and classes are ranked by the number of stars each newcomer brings to a program, Clemons' story is one that resonates with those who believe in hard work and perseverance will eventually yield positive results.
 
For Ricky Clemons, his journey has already included breakout performances at ACC members Duke and NC State, a trip to the 2021 Big South title game, all-conference honors, plus numerous mentions in school single-season and career record lists, all produced by a player with only one non-Division I scholarship offer out of high school.
 
"Ricky's is a relatable story," said McGeehan.  "No matter what you are given, there are obstacles in life that you have to overcome.  When somebody who doesn't have it all in the beginning works hard and makes the most of it, it gives you belief in what this is really all about.  As we have seen the things surrounding the game change so much in recent years, Ricky's story helps bring us back to the truest sense of why we're here as coaches, to help develop people and leaders."
 
The memorable moments are easy for Clemons to list: first extended game time, first start, turning in some of his best career performances at venues like Cameron Indoor Stadium and PNC Arena.  Game-winning shots. Game-winning defensive stops.  For all of those, he is truly grateful.
 
But whether his career ends in the Big South or the NCAA tournament, Clemons hopes to be remembered by fans, coaches, teammates, and competitors for one simple quality.
 
"As somebody that never stopped working, and always – regardless of whether I was playing 5 minutes or 35 minutes – was going to do what it took to win the game."