Completed Event: Men's Basketball versus #2 St. Thomas on March 5, 2026 , Loss , 67, to, 80
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FINAL
Men's Basketball
67
vs #2 St. Thomas
80
South Dakota State University Athletics
Get to know the newcomers: Tray Buchanan
6/4/2019 8:05:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Six new Jackrabbits are set to join the men's basketball program in 2019-20, and with summer workouts in full swing, GoJacks.com will have updates on the newest members of the team throughout the month.
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Tray Buchanan committed to the Jackrabbits in early April after spending a season at Des Moines Area Community College. Buchanan earned NJCAA Third Team All-American honors in 2018-19, averaging 19.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game at DMACC. He shot 45 percent from the field with 77-pointers, reaching double figures in 28 games.
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SDSU: Basketball season wrapped up for you guys in the regional finals a couple of months back, so what have you been up to since then?
Buchanan: I've been wrapping up my academics at DMACC and focusing on knocking out those last few classes before coming up to Brookings. Between that, I've been logging time in the gym to get ready for summer workouts.
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SDSU: You had some success on the court at DMACC, but what else did that experience do for you?
Buchanan: It was great to be around a group of guys – from coaches to players – who wanted to get better every day. Spending the year there was the best decision I've made for my career so far. Everyone believed in me, and when you're surrounded with those positive vibes all the time, it's so much easier to better yourself.
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SDSU: What was the one area you saw the most growth in during your time at DMACC?
Buchanan: Academics, for sure. I realized that's the most important part of this experience, because without a commitment to the classroom, you can't do anything else. Locking in on academics has also led to more success on the court as well.
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SDSU: Why did you choose to sign with South Dakota State?
Buchanan: Coach Hendo (Henderson) reached out first, and I really got a great vibe off of him and his vision for the program. That feeling carried over on my visit when talking to staff and players. They have a blueprint and want to be great. Everything the coaches said in the recruiting process felt genuine and authentic, and that is really important to me.
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SDSU: You're a part of an incoming group with six newcomers. Have you gotten to know those guys at all?
Buchanan: I've talked to a few of the guys up there already, and I'm looking forward to spending time with my teammates. Doug (Wilson) and I played AAU ball together, so we know each other well. It's exciting to get back together with him in this setting, because I enjoy being around positive individuals who challenge each other every day.
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SDSU: What's your favorite part of the game?
Buchanan: Winning. That's what drives me to be better and support my teammates every day.
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SDSU: Last question, but to accomplish that goal of winning, what will you bring to the court?
Buchanan: I'm going to play the whole 40 minutes like it's my last time on the court. I'm a hard-nosed guard who can pass and shoot, and it's a lot of fun for me to create for others and set them up for success. I try to bring a winning mentality into everything, and hopefully that wears off on others. We have a special group coming together that can do some exciting things at South Dakota State.
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Buchanan is part of a recruiting class that includes NJCAA Player of the year Doug Wilson, all-state high school performers Baylor Scheierman (Nebraska), Owen Coburn (Iowa) and Noah Freidel (South Dakota), and sophomore transfer David Wingett, who spent last season at Memphis after leaving Nebraska as the No. 2 prep scorer of all-time.
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Tray Buchanan committed to the Jackrabbits in early April after spending a season at Des Moines Area Community College. Buchanan earned NJCAA Third Team All-American honors in 2018-19, averaging 19.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game at DMACC. He shot 45 percent from the field with 77-pointers, reaching double figures in 28 games.
Â
SDSU: Basketball season wrapped up for you guys in the regional finals a couple of months back, so what have you been up to since then?
Buchanan: I've been wrapping up my academics at DMACC and focusing on knocking out those last few classes before coming up to Brookings. Between that, I've been logging time in the gym to get ready for summer workouts.
Â
SDSU: You had some success on the court at DMACC, but what else did that experience do for you?
Buchanan: It was great to be around a group of guys – from coaches to players – who wanted to get better every day. Spending the year there was the best decision I've made for my career so far. Everyone believed in me, and when you're surrounded with those positive vibes all the time, it's so much easier to better yourself.
Â
SDSU: What was the one area you saw the most growth in during your time at DMACC?
Buchanan: Academics, for sure. I realized that's the most important part of this experience, because without a commitment to the classroom, you can't do anything else. Locking in on academics has also led to more success on the court as well.
Â
SDSU: Why did you choose to sign with South Dakota State?
Buchanan: Coach Hendo (Henderson) reached out first, and I really got a great vibe off of him and his vision for the program. That feeling carried over on my visit when talking to staff and players. They have a blueprint and want to be great. Everything the coaches said in the recruiting process felt genuine and authentic, and that is really important to me.
Â
SDSU: You're a part of an incoming group with six newcomers. Have you gotten to know those guys at all?
Buchanan: I've talked to a few of the guys up there already, and I'm looking forward to spending time with my teammates. Doug (Wilson) and I played AAU ball together, so we know each other well. It's exciting to get back together with him in this setting, because I enjoy being around positive individuals who challenge each other every day.
Â
SDSU: What's your favorite part of the game?
Buchanan: Winning. That's what drives me to be better and support my teammates every day.
Â
SDSU: Last question, but to accomplish that goal of winning, what will you bring to the court?
Buchanan: I'm going to play the whole 40 minutes like it's my last time on the court. I'm a hard-nosed guard who can pass and shoot, and it's a lot of fun for me to create for others and set them up for success. I try to bring a winning mentality into everything, and hopefully that wears off on others. We have a special group coming together that can do some exciting things at South Dakota State.
Â
Buchanan is part of a recruiting class that includes NJCAA Player of the year Doug Wilson, all-state high school performers Baylor Scheierman (Nebraska), Owen Coburn (Iowa) and Noah Freidel (South Dakota), and sophomore transfer David Wingett, who spent last season at Memphis after leaving Nebraska as the No. 2 prep scorer of all-time.
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