Welcome to my team preview series for 2024-25. Each day between now and the start of the college basketball season, I will preview one team or conference, both on Instagram (@collegehoopsoutlet) and through an article here. The preview will go in-depth on the roster build of the team, my expectations for their upcoming season, and the state of the program under their current head coach.
Clemson (Projected: 5th in ACC)
Brad Brownell has turned Clemson into a formidable program in the ACC since he took over in 2010. This past March, the Tigers reached their first NCAA Tournament since 2021 and their first Elite Eight since 1980. Brownell brings back a couple of key players from the Elite Eight squad and plenty of newcomers to come in and mesh with them.
Senior guard Chase Hunter (13 ppg) is the leading scorer among returners for the Tigers. Chase Hunter gives the Tigers continuity and experience in the backcourt and is a solid all-around guard. Hunter will likely be the focal point of the offense now, having the ball in his hands much more as a fifth-year senior. Chase’s younger brother, Dillon Hunter (2 ppg) is the only other returning guard for the Tigers. Dillon played just 15 mpg in the backcourt for Clemson last season, but should see an increased role as a junior.
Fan-favorite Ian Schieffelin (10 ppg, 9 rpg) highlights the frontcourt returners for Clemson. Schieffelin returns to the Tigers after taking a big leap as a junior this past season. He’s the ultimate energy guy, making the momentum-changing plays for the Tigers and always working hard on both ends of the floor. Junior forward Chauncey Wiggins (5 ppg) started 18 games last season for the Tigers and could see a similar role this year as the first guy off the bench. Redshirt freshman Asa Thomas rounds out the returners for the Tigers.
Seven players left the program following Clemson’s run to the Elite Eight. PJ Hall (18 ppg, 6 rpg) was a key player the last four seasons at Clemson, but turned down the use of his fifth year of eligibility. Joe Girard III (15 ppg) used his final year of eligibility last season with the Tigers after transferring in from Syracuse. Rotational players RJ Godfrey (6 ppg), Jack Clark (5 ppg, 5 rpg), and Alex Hemenway (5 ppg) all left the program as well. Depth pieces Josh Beadle (3 ppg) and Bas Leyte (1 ppg) round out the list of departures.
Brad Brownell landed five transfers to offset the losses, all of whom should play a role in the Tigers’ rotation. Jake Heidbreder (15 ppg at Air Force in 2023) joined the Tigers last offseason, but I decided to place him in the list of newcomers because he sat out all of last season redshirting. Heidbreder was a sharpshooter during his time with the Falcons, a 39.9% three-point shooter in his sophomore season on 188 attempts. Jaeden Zackery (11 ppg, 4 apg at Boston College) is the other backcourt transfer, coming in to Clemson with three years of ACC experience at Boston College. Zackery is a good all-around guard, averaging 4.2 apg, 1.8 spg, and shooting 40.5% from three on just over two attempts per game.
Viktor Lakhin (9 ppg, 6 rpg at Cincinnati) is the big name transferring into the Tigers frontcourt. Lakhin had a solid first season at the power conference level this past year, but struggled near the end of the season while battling injuries. Brownell will need Lakhin to get back to close to where he was before the injury with PJ Hall gone, something that will be a major storyline to watch for Clemson. Myles Foster (12 ppg, 8 rpg at Illinois State) was one of the more important players for the Redbirds this past season, giving Clemson an athletic presence in the frontcourt and another great rebounder. Christian Reeves (Redshirt at Duke) redshirted last season after being shut down in November due to injury at Duke, but joins Clemson with a lot to play for.
Three high school recruits round out the Tigers’ roster for 2024-25. Forward Dallas Thomas (4*, NAT 79) is another athletic guy for Brownell to use at the three or the four, likely seeing a sizable impact off the bench during his freshman campaign. Guards Ace Buckner (3*, NAT 128) and Del Jones (3*, NAT 139) aren’t likely to see as much time as Thomas during their freshman campaigns, but could be important guys a year from now when Chase Hunter and Jaeden Zackery are graduated.
Brad Brownell has raised Clemson basketball from the depths during his tenure and has showed no signs of stopping recently. With the program continuing to rise, Brownell can continue to work his magic while living with much less pressure than many of his colleagues in the ACC.
With PJ Hall gone, the focus of the Tigers’ team may shift out of the frontcourt and into the hands of Chase Hunter this season. Hunter played a vital role in Clemson reaching the Elite Eight this past season, and it should be his team to take over now as a fifth-year senior. A guy that can give him some help and is my X-factor for Clemson this season is Air Force transfer Jake Heidbreder. Heidbreder didn’t play last season, but now has a year under his belt at Clemson and should be familiar with how Brad Brownell rolls. If Heidbreder can shoot the lights out like he did during his time at Air Force, the Tigers offense will miss the loss of Joe Girard III much less.
With key guys like Chase Hunter and Ian Schieffelin returning, Brad Brownell has a chance to compete in the top-third of the ACC. He’ll need his other returners to take a large step up and a couple of his newcomers to play key minutes as well. I’ve got the Tigers finishing 5th in the 18-team ACC, continuing to compete at the top of the conference.