Ronald Sylvester Slay (born June 29, 1981) is an American former professional basketball player. He was the Southeastern Conference player of the year and an All-American as a senior at Tennessee.

Ron Slay
Personal information
Born (1981-06-29) June 29, 1981 (age 43)
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High schoolOak Hill Academy
(Mouth of Wilson, Virginia)
CollegeTennessee (1999–2003)
NBA draft2003: undrafted
Playing career2003–2016
PositionPower forward
Number35
Career history
2003–2004Galatasaray
2004Cocodrilos de Caracas
2004–2005Asheville Altitude
2005–2006Maccabi Giv'at Shmuel
2006Curtiriso Casale Monferrato
2006Ciudad de Huelva
2006–2007Premiata Montegranaro
2007–2008Scavolini Pesaro
2008Grises de Humacao
2008–2009Eldo Caserta
2009–2011Cimberio Varese
2011Levski Sofia
2011–2012Sidigas Avellino
2012–2013Givova Scafati
2013–2014Châlons Reims
2014–2015Benfica
2016Lugano Tigers
2016Lille Métropole
Career highlights and awards

College career

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Ron Slay played for Pearl-Cohn High School in Nashville, Tennessee before transferring to prep powerhouse Oak Hill Academy and then heading to the University of Tennessee. As a freshman in 1999–2000, Slay averaged 9.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game as the Volunteers went 26–7 and won the SEC. In the 2000 NCAA Tournament, Slay and the Vols made their first Sweet Sixteen appearance since 1981. The next season, Slay upped his averages to 12.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. He was named third team all-conference and team MVP.[1]

Slay was poised to have another strong year as a junior, as he became a regular starter for the Volunteers and again showed improvement in his production, raising his averages to 14.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. However, Slay tore his anterior cruciate ligament[2] and was limited to 14 games. After rehabbing during the offseason, Slay had a breakout year as a senior. He averaged 21.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game and was named the Associated Press SEC Player of the Year[3] and a third team All-American.

Professional career

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Following the conclusion of his college career, Slay went undrafted in the 2003 NBA draft. He took part in the Orlando Summer League as a member of the Miami Heat's entry, however he did not make the team. He instead signed with Galatasaray Café Crown of the Turkish Basketball League. This began an international basketball career that would take Slay to Israel, Venezuela, Italy, Spain, and Puerto Rico. Slay also played a season for the Asheville Altitude of the NBDL, where he was named second team all-league.[4]

On September 17, 2012, Slay signed with Scafati Basket of Italy's Legadue.[5] In the summer of 2013, he signed with Châlons Reims.[6]

In August 2014, he signed with Benfica of the Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol for the 2014–15 season.[7]

Honours

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Benfica

The Basketball Tournament (TBT)

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In the summer of 2017, Slay competed in The Basketball Tournament on ESPN for the City of Gods. In their first-round matchup, Slay scored 14 points in 21 minutes in the City of Gods' 88-86 loss to Gael Nation, a team composed of Iona College basketball alum.[8]

References

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  1. ^ 2010-11 Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball guide, accessed May 29, 2011
  2. ^ Wire reports (January 28, 2002). "Vols bounce back, blow out Auburn". Gainesville Sun. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
  3. ^ Paul Newberry (March 12, 2003). "Slay SEC top player, Wildcats' Smith top coach". The Item. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
  4. ^ NBDL Announces 2004-05 All-League Selections Archived June 10, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, accessed May 29, 2011
  5. ^ "Scafati officially signs Ron Slay". Sportando.net. 2012. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  6. ^ "Ronald Slay (ex Givova Scafati) signs at Chalons-Reims". Eurobasket.com. August 1, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  7. ^ Basquetebol: Ronald Slay reforça Sport Lisboa e Benfica (Portuguese)
  8. ^ "Player card of Ron Slay on MyStatsOnline.com".
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