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NJCAA All-American Buddy Hammer Jr. SIgns With UNT
5/23/2025 8:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
A 6-foot-7 rising junior, last year Hammer led Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College to a 24-8 record and one win shy of reaching the National Tournament. Hammer averaged 12.3 points, 10 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.4 steals per game for the Norsemen. He had nine double doubles on the year and was named NJCAA All-American Honorable Mention following the season. JucoRecruiting.com ranked him as the nation's No. 29 best NJCAA recruit.
"We are thrilled to welcome Buddy Hammer to the Mean Green family," said North Texas head coach Daniyal Robinson. "Buddy is a high motor forward known for his ability to defend multiple positions and rebound at an elite level. He joins us from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M JC, where he averaged a double-double this past season. More than just a player, Buddy is a high-character individual and a selfless teammate. His toughness, work ethic, and team-first mentality make him a perfect fit for our culture. We can't wait to see the impact Buddy will make on campus, on the court, and in the community."
The forward last year scored in double figures 14 times and scored 20 or more points five times including a season high 27 points in a win at Western Oklahoma State College. He grabbed 10 or more rebounds 16 times and had a season high 17 versus Tabor College (KS). He was selected to the 2025 Region 2 All-Region team.
Hammer played his freshman season at Connors State Junior College where he led them to a 34-3 overall record and a 2024 NJCAA National Tournament semifinal appearance. He averaged 14 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game that year. He had a 22-point and seven-rebound performance to beat Salt Lake Community College in the National Tournament second round.
Hammer is from Westville, Oklahoma, and graduated from Westville High School in 2023. He was named 2023 Oklahoma Coaches Association 3A All State, Region 3 Player of the Year, Big 8 Conference Player of the Year and Tulsa World Honorable Mention. He was also selected to the 2023 Native All Star Game.
In addition to UNT he held offers from schools such as Central Michigan, New Mexico State, Oakland and Wyoming among others.
Hammer joins North Texas with two years of eligibility remaining.
For more information on UNT Basketball tickets, contact the Mean Green Ticket Office at 940-565-2527 or at ticketoffice@unt.edu. Fans can purchase tickets at www.meangreentickets.com or visit the UNT Athletics Ticket Office located at Gate 2 of DATCU Stadium between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
