Monday was a big day for college basketball: the transfer portal window opened and some interesting names entered. Brad Brownell and Clemson basketball were not immune from losing key contributors to the portal as three guys left the program in rather surprising fashion.
In fact, Chauncey Wiggins, Asa Thomas, and Del Jones all entered the transfer portal despite likely having increased roles in 2025-26 with departures of Chase Hunter, Viktor Lakhin, Ian Schieffelin, and Jaeden Zackery (assuming he doesn't get an extra year). The departures of the three expected returnees hurt, but Brownell needs to get right to work.
A year ago, when Clemson lost key contributors from an Elite Eight team, he went right to the portal and landed some key players like Lakhin, Zackery, and Christian Reeves.
This offseason, he'll have to do the same thing.
With at least seven key departures and three incoming freshmen, Brownell will have at least four spots to fill on the roster for next season. If Zackery gets an extra year, that means there will be three open spots and the transfer portal will be his best friend (again).
We've seen Brownell have success in the portal over the years and it actually helped him avoid another NCAA Tournament-less season in 2023-24 and a "rebuild" in 2024-25.
This may be his most important offseason yet.
The entire starting lineup outside of Dillon Hunter is likely moving on and some key role players, too, are gone. If Clemson is going to avoid a massive rebuild next season and compete for an ACC title again, Brownell will have to live in the transfer portal from now until the window closes.