Buckner became the first Tiger men's basketball player in history to start for three NCAA Tournament teams and four postseason tournament teams. He was Clemson's leading scorer for four straight years, just the fifth player in ACC history to accomplish this feat. He concluded his Clemson career ranked fourth in scoring with 1754 points. Buckner was an All-ACC player in 1996-97 when he led the Tigers to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament and a number-eight final ranking by USA Today. He was also an All-ACC player as a senior in 1997-98, the last year Clemson advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

A starter in a Clemson record 122 consecutive games, Buckner was named ACC Rookie of the Year in 1994-95, the only Clemson basketball player to win that award. A second-round draft choice in the NBA after his senior year, he was a starter for the Denver Nuggets this past year, his seventh season in the NBA.

Buckner's induction marked the first for Clemson men's basketball since Vincent Hamilton in 2003. He was introduced by Hall of Fame coordinator George Bennett, while over 30 family members and friends from his home-state of Kentucky were in attendance at the reception.

In addition to Buckner, the 2005 Hall of Fame class includes Charles Warren (men's golf), Kris Benson (baseball), Donnell Woolford (football), Cindy Stern-DeMartino (women's volleyball), Gigi Fernandez (women's tennis), Dr. Byron Harder (Clemson team physician) and Ken Vickery (former NCAA Faculty Representative).