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CLEMSON — Clemson basketball is experiencing a mass roster exodus this offseason.
Fresh off setting a program record for total and conference victories and making the NCAA tournament in two consecutive seasons under coach Brad Brownell, the Tigers have lost more than half of their roster, including most of their end-of-season starters.
Guard Chase Hunter, forward Ian Schieffelin and center Viktor Lakhin will not be back because of expiring eligibility. Guard Jaeden Zackery's eligibility is over, too, but may return depending on a junior college waiver, and forward Chauncey Wiggins entered the transfer portal.
Wiggins was one of four scholarship players to enter the portal, joining reserve guards Del Jones and Jake Heidbreder and forward Asa Thomas.
Clemson's 2025-26 roster has four players from this season's team: guard Dillon Hunter, center Christian Reeves, and redshirt freshmen forward Dallas Thomas and guard Ace Buckner. The Tigers will add three freshmen: guard Zac Foster and forwards Chase Thompson and Trent Steinour, but will need to revamp their roster via the transfer portal to fill spots.
Brownell has effectively used the transfer portal, which opened March 24, throughout his 15-year tenure as the Tigers struggled to land elite high school talent. He has attracted experienced college players, adding 15 during the past six years. Still, this may be his toughest challenge yet to replace heavy starter and bench contributors who helped the team achieve regular-season and tournament success.
Clemson and other programs will have greater roster flexibility with the scholarship roster size expanding from 13 to 15 if the pending House settlement passes in April.
Here are three needs the Tigers must fill in the portal:
KEEP TRACK: Clemson basketball transfer portal tracker 2025: Who's in, who's out for Brad Brownell
Clemson will be without five of its leading scorers from this season and seven of its top eight, assuming Zackery doesn't return. Chase Hunter, Schieffelin, Zackery, Lakhin, Heidbreder and Jones accounted for 89.6% of the Tigers' average of 76.1 points a game.
Hunter, Clemson's leading scorer, made first-team All-ACC, and Schieffelin, Zackery and Lakhin all averaged double-digit scoring. It is imperative the Tigers add capable scorers to keep them afloat.
They have been in contact with numerous scorers in the portal, including Nevada transfer forward Nick Davidson, per multiple reports. Davidson averaged 15.8 points, shooting 37.1% from 3-point range, and 6.5 rebounds in the Mountain West. He could slot in to replace Scheffelin or Lakhin's production.
Another is Purdue Fort Wayne transfer guard Jalen Jackson, per League Ready. He averaged 19.4 points, shooting 48.4%, and 3.1 assists in the Horizon League Conference. He could pair with Dillon Hunter in Clemson's backcourt to replace Chase Hunter and Zackery.
Losing Lakhin (6-foot-11), Wiggins (6-10) and Schieffelin (6-8) leaves Reeves as the only player who is 6-10 or taller. Schieffelin and Lakhin were Clemson's leading rebounders, combining for 15.8 per game. As a result, the Tigers will need to add size and experience.
According to multiple reports, Clemson has been in contact with Utah Valley 6-10 forward Carter Welling. He averaged 13.1 points, shooting 35.3% from 3-point range, 6.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in his second season to make All-WAC second team. His size and rebounding ability would be a boost for the Tigers.
Another is Valparaiso transfer 6-10 forward Cooper Schwieger, per On3sports. He averaged 15.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and two blocks for the Beacons in his sophomore year. Like Welling, he would add critical size to Clemson.
For the second straight season, Clemson's lack of athletes doomed it in the NCAA tournament.
Against Alabama in last year's Elite Eight, the Crimson Tide's speedy players ran and shot the Tigers off the floor. Versus McNeese State in the first round of March Madness this season, the Mustangs outhustled Clemson despite it having the size advantage.
Clemson's top athletes were Chase Hunter, Dillon Hunter, Zackery and Jones (all guards). Buckner will add athleticism in his second season, but the Tigers must add athletic forwards and centers to remain competitive in the ACC and sustain success in the NCAA tournament.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson basketball: What Tigers need to fill through transfer portal
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Fresh off setting a program record for total and conference victories and making the NCAA tournament in two consecutive seasons under coach Brad Brownell, the Tigers have lost more than half of their roster, including most of their end-of-season starters.
Guard Chase Hunter, forward Ian Schieffelin and center Viktor Lakhin will not be back because of expiring eligibility. Guard Jaeden Zackery's eligibility is over, too, but may return depending on a junior college waiver, and forward Chauncey Wiggins entered the transfer portal.
Wiggins was one of four scholarship players to enter the portal, joining reserve guards Del Jones and Jake Heidbreder and forward Asa Thomas.
Clemson's 2025-26 roster has four players from this season's team: guard Dillon Hunter, center Christian Reeves, and redshirt freshmen forward Dallas Thomas and guard Ace Buckner. The Tigers will add three freshmen: guard Zac Foster and forwards Chase Thompson and Trent Steinour, but will need to revamp their roster via the transfer portal to fill spots.
Brownell has effectively used the transfer portal, which opened March 24, throughout his 15-year tenure as the Tigers struggled to land elite high school talent. He has attracted experienced college players, adding 15 during the past six years. Still, this may be his toughest challenge yet to replace heavy starter and bench contributors who helped the team achieve regular-season and tournament success.
Clemson and other programs will have greater roster flexibility with the scholarship roster size expanding from 13 to 15 if the pending House settlement passes in April.
Here are three needs the Tigers must fill in the portal:
KEEP TRACK: Clemson basketball transfer portal tracker 2025: Who's in, who's out for Brad Brownell
Clemson basketball's top transfer portal need is finding scorers
Clemson will be without five of its leading scorers from this season and seven of its top eight, assuming Zackery doesn't return. Chase Hunter, Schieffelin, Zackery, Lakhin, Heidbreder and Jones accounted for 89.6% of the Tigers' average of 76.1 points a game.
Hunter, Clemson's leading scorer, made first-team All-ACC, and Schieffelin, Zackery and Lakhin all averaged double-digit scoring. It is imperative the Tigers add capable scorers to keep them afloat.
They have been in contact with numerous scorers in the portal, including Nevada transfer forward Nick Davidson, per multiple reports. Davidson averaged 15.8 points, shooting 37.1% from 3-point range, and 6.5 rebounds in the Mountain West. He could slot in to replace Scheffelin or Lakhin's production.
Another is Purdue Fort Wayne transfer guard Jalen Jackson, per League Ready. He averaged 19.4 points, shooting 48.4%, and 3.1 assists in the Horizon League Conference. He could pair with Dillon Hunter in Clemson's backcourt to replace Chase Hunter and Zackery.
Clemson basketball needs lengthy rebounders and shot blockers
Losing Lakhin (6-foot-11), Wiggins (6-10) and Schieffelin (6-8) leaves Reeves as the only player who is 6-10 or taller. Schieffelin and Lakhin were Clemson's leading rebounders, combining for 15.8 per game. As a result, the Tigers will need to add size and experience.
According to multiple reports, Clemson has been in contact with Utah Valley 6-10 forward Carter Welling. He averaged 13.1 points, shooting 35.3% from 3-point range, 6.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in his second season to make All-WAC second team. His size and rebounding ability would be a boost for the Tigers.
Another is Valparaiso transfer 6-10 forward Cooper Schwieger, per On3sports. He averaged 15.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and two blocks for the Beacons in his sophomore year. Like Welling, he would add critical size to Clemson.
Clemson basketball needs athleticism
For the second straight season, Clemson's lack of athletes doomed it in the NCAA tournament.
Against Alabama in last year's Elite Eight, the Crimson Tide's speedy players ran and shot the Tigers off the floor. Versus McNeese State in the first round of March Madness this season, the Mustangs outhustled Clemson despite it having the size advantage.
Clemson's top athletes were Chase Hunter, Dillon Hunter, Zackery and Jones (all guards). Buckner will add athleticism in his second season, but the Tigers must add athletic forwards and centers to remain competitive in the ACC and sustain success in the NCAA tournament.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson basketball: What Tigers need to fill through transfer portal
Continue reading...
