Was Brad Brownell's extension a good move by Clemson basketball? Well, if this offseason is any indication, that answer is an overwhelming yes.
Brownell lost eight guys to either transfers or exhausted eligibility at the collegiate level which, essentially, was the entire roster. The only returning player with any sort of production is Dillon Hunter and he averaged just over five points per game last season.
The Tigers needed a huge offseason to make up for all of the major losses.
And they got one -- so far.
Clemson may have lost nine guys but it gained 10 via the transfer portal and the 2025 recruiting class. The Tigers landed six transfers and bring in a four-man 2025 class which grew by one thanks to Nevada transfer Nick Davidson -- it's his younger brother.
It's been a really successful offseason thus far for Clemson and Brownell. Don't believe me? Look at the metrics, according to Evan Miyakawa.
Here are the top teams this offseason in terms of Overall Transfer Portal Activity at https://t.co/cegyfz96ax, which takes into account the quality of both incoming and outgoing players.
— Evan Miyakawa (@EvanMiya) April 25, 2025
Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, Miami, and Washington are in the top 5. pic.twitter.com/aOVx1Pzh54
Clemson is ranked just outside the top 10 in college basketball this offseason in transfer portal activity, according to Miyakawa. This takes into account the talent lost compared to the talent coming in via the portal. And it's clear that Clemson made out like a bandit in the portal, losing guys like Del Jones and Chauncey Wiggins while bringing in Davidson, RJ Godfrey, and Carter Welling.
The Tigers didn't lose a single top-200 transfer, per 247Sports, and they bring in three in that range, including Davidson who's ranked in the top 50.
Brownell has had a great offseason so far and I'd be shocked if he didn't have this team looking like a serious contender once again next season. Might we see a third straight NCAA Tournament appearance for the first time since 2008-11? I think so.