The college basketball transfer portal burst open this week, and Brad Brownell’s Clemson squad is wasting no time hunting for impact players. After successfully landing key transfers like Viktor Lakhin and Jaeden Zackery last offseason, the Tigers are casting an even wider net this year – and some major targets have already emerged.
Brownell has aggressively reached out to several high-profile prospects in just the portal’s first few days, including:
– Nevada standout Nick Davidson
– Valparaiso’s rising star Cooper Schwieger
– Indiana big man Malik Reneau
But the Tigers aren’t stopping there. Wednesday brought news that Clemson has contacted South Carolina transfer Nick Pringle, a 6’10”, 220-pound force who torched the Tigers for 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting in their overtime matchup this season. The physical forward averaged 9.5 points and 6.3 rebounds while shooting 57% from the field for the Gamecocks.
While Pringle would provide much-needed frontcourt help, Clemson faces stiff competition from SEC programs like Arkansas, Auburn and Ole Miss, along with ACC foe Wake Forest and USC. The Tigers’ willingness to pursue a rival player shows how seriously Brownell is addressing his roster needs through the portal – a stark contrast to football coach Dabo Swinney’s portal philosophy.
With more targets surely to come, Clemson fans should buckle up for what promises to be an active – and potentially program-changing – transfer portal season. Brownell has proven he can find portal gems. Now he’s hunting for even bigger fish to get the Tigers back in the NCAA Tournament conversation.
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