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.
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]
