Head coach Brad Brownell said the Clemson Tigers do not plan to pursue midseason additions entering the new year, pushing back on a growing trend that has seen teams explore overseas players or former G League prospects to address in-season needs.
“I don’t know if we’re going to do that,” Brownell said after Sunday’s win over Cincinnati. “I really haven’t gotten into it with my staff. My staff hasn’t come to me with some guy that they feel like we need to add to the roster. I think it can also do some harm, so you’ve got to juggle it.”
Continuity Over Short-Term Fixes
The college basketball landscape has shifted rapidly, with new pathways allowing older, more experienced players to enter rosters midyear. Brownell, however, emphasized Clemson’s offseason investment in culture and chemistry as a reason to avoid disrupting the rotation.
That stance comes despite mounting depth challenges. True freshman Zac Foster suffered a season-ending ACL injury, while guard Butta Johnson has been limited by injury, playing just eight minutes in Sunday’s win.
As a result, starters Dillon Hunter and Jestin Porter logged more than 31 minutes apiece, with Ace Buckner also carrying a heavy workload.
A Familiar Debate
The topic isn’t new for Brownell. Before the season, he expressed concern about how midyear additions blur the lines of traditional college athletics amid the rise of NIL and expanded eligibility rules.
“That part of it bothers me a little bit,” Brownell said in October. “I don’t love that part of it, but I understand why the NCAA’s allowing it. We’ve kind of opened that door with the international situation, and now this is the next step. Everybody’s pushing every boundary they possibly can.”
Brownell acknowledged that Clemson briefly explored options earlier this month, including contact with former G League guard T.J. Clark, who ultimately chose Ole Miss. The Tigers, however, have not advanced discussions with any other potential midseason additions.
Staying the Course
Johnson is expected to be healthy when Clemson returns to action against Syracuse on Dec. 31, offering some relief to the backcourt rotation. Still, Brownell remains cautious about introducing a new player midstream.
“Getting a guy here, getting him acclimated and trusting him enough — that’s not easy either,” he said.
For now, Clemson’s approach is clear: lean on continuity, manage minutes carefully, and trust the roster already in place as ACC play intensifies