Clemson basketball: Easy come, easy go

I hadn’t expected to spend a good chunk of April writing about Clemson basketball, but this team can’t seem to stay out of the news.  Sometimes that’s good and sometimes that’s not so good.

From two guards transferring to two coaches leaving, to gaining and now losing a much sought after transfer player, it’s been an active April for Brad Brownell’s program.

Yes, losing a transfer that just committed last week.

Reading between the lines here, it sounds like the changes with the coaching staff, particularly Antonio Reynolds Dean’s move to Georgia, may have changed things for Llewellyn.

"“I am still considering Clemson as my home for next year, but due to recent changes, my family and I have decided to reopen my recruitment in order to reconsider the best options.”"

That said, our friend JP Priester of AllClemson.com mentioned on Sluggo that Llewellyn was aware that Reynolds Dean was likely headed to Georgia prior to committing.

As far as still considering Clemson, I guess that could be true, but how realistic does that sound?  Not very from where I sit.

This is an important decision for Llewellyn and not to make light of the subject, but it reminds me of someone breaking up with you, but saying “hang around, I might come back.”  No thank you.

Except Brownell, having lost 2,600 minutes of guard play from last season may not be in a position to say no.

I have no inside or specific knowledge, but it wouldn’t shock me if Llewellyn landed at Georgia with Reynolds Dean given their relationship, as the Dogs are also down a few portal entrants of their own.

But the merry-go-round didn’t end there as the very next day the Tigers announced a new commitment.  A guard no less.

Dillon Hunter is the younger brother of current Tiger Chase Hunter, who had a breakout season in 2021-2022.

Dillon also decommitted from Baylor two days before committing to Clemson.

I’m glad I’m not the only one confused and confounded:

The turbulence at Clemson continues.  Let’s summarize the last month: Two veteran guards enter transfer portal, two assistant coaches opt to coach somewhere else next year,  a transfer who was committed for a hot minute have all chosen other options, while a current players brother decommits from a big time program and commits to Clemson two days later.

All this as Brad Brownell attempts to salvage his legacy at Clemson in a 43 minute video saying he isn’t making excuses.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.