There are certain numbers that make you part of a special company in college basketball. At the Division I men's level, only 10 players have reached 3,000 points in their careers.
This season is looking historic. Two players have reached milestone this year: Campbell's Chris Clemons, who got there Saturday, Feb. 16, and South Dakota State's Mike Daum hit the mark on Saturday, Feb. 23. It is the first time at the Division I men's level two players have reached the 3,000 points milestone in the same season.
Here's a look at the two players, including their point totals and when they play next:
3,000-point tracker: Chris Clemons and Mike Daum
Chris Clemons | Player | Mike Daum |
---|---|---|
3,225 | Points | 3,067 |
130 | Games | 137 |
5-9/180 | Height/Weight | 6-9/235 |
30.1 | Season PPG | 25.8 |
32 points L, 69-84 vs. UNCG (NIT) |
Last Game | 25 points L, 79-73 vs. Texas (NIT) |
None | Next Game | None |
SCORING LEADERS: NCAA DI men's basketball career scoring leaders
Campbell's Chris Clemons
Clemons started the season as DI men's basketball's active career scoring average leader at 23 points per game, and he's only upped that scoring average by putting up about 30 points per game as a senior.
Clemons' highlights include scoring 51 points against UNC Asheville on March 2, 2017. The former Millbrook High (Raleigh, N.C.) star was an all-state selection before coming to Campbell. Upon becoming a Fighting Camel, Clemons earned Big South Freshman of the Year honors before receiving Big South all-conference honors as a sophomore and a junior.
The 5-9 guard has also been clutch. In each of the last two seasons, Clemons has shocked Radford on buzzer-beaters to win the game.
This year, Clemons scored 39 points at Radford to hand the Highlanders their first conference loss.
As a senior, Clemons' season-high total came on Feb. 13, where scored 48 points in a home win over Hampton.
He then reached 3,000 career points by scoring 28 against Presbyterian on Saturday, Feb. 16.
South Dakota State's Mike Daum
Daum played at Kimball High in Nebraska before arriving at South Dakota State. He broke the school record for points in a game with 41 and also led the team in both scoring and rebounding as a sophomore, junior and senior.
After redshirting in 2014-15 at SDSU, Daum led the Jackrabbits in scoring in each of his first three years — and is on pace to do so again.
Daum is a two-time Summit League Player of the Year. In his first three seasons, Daum and the Jackrabbits have reached the NCAA tournament each time. South Dakota State has twice made it as a No. 12 seed, losing close games to No. 5 seeds Maryland and Ohio State. It also lost to Gonzaga as a No. 16 seed in 2016-17.
Coming into this season, only eight players scored at least 3,000 points in their career — and that doesn't even include former star Oscar Robertson, who barely missed at 2,973. Yes, it's an exclusive group.
NCAA tournament: 2019 printable bracket
Campbell and South Dakota State both had conference tournament runs a NIT appearance this year and it was fun watching Clemons and Daum climb up the all-time ranks.
However, No. 1 remains well out of reach: LSU's Pete Maravich and his 3,667 points.