Just before it missed out on its first prominent transfer target of the offseason, Clemson basketball made the top five for one of the most coveted freshmen in the portal.
Early on Wednesday, Clemson lost a recruiting battle for Cooper Schwieger from Valpo to Wake Forest. He was just on a visit over the weekend which makes this miss hurt a little more.
But the Tigers made the cut for one of those coveted forwards on Tuesday.
Source: Portland transfer forward Austin Rapp is down to five schools (in no order):
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 1, 2025
Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Clemson, Oregon
The 6-10 freshman averaged 13.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Knocked down 83 threes this season, at a 35% clip. https://t.co/Fq9bRZCPqd pic.twitter.com/r9otRy7Kug
Portland transfer Austin Rapp was targeted by a number of top programs, but Clemson is the only ACC team that made the cut while the rest are Big Ten programs. The Tigers will have to fight off Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Oregon.
Rapp, the No. 166 overall transfer in the portal, is from Australia and averaged 13.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game. He also shot just under 40 percent from the floor and 35 percent from deep. The 6-foot-10 power forward from overseas can score from all three levels and it's clear that Brownell is searching for a specific type of player.
Schwieger, like Rapp, has a lanky build but can defend the post while also being able to step out to the 3-point line to defend and, on the flip side, make some long-shots of his own. A 35 percent shooter from deep at 6-foot-10? That sounds like the dream.
Clemson's roster is currently in search of about 4-5 transfers after losing eight guys this offseason and returning just four scholarship players -- two of which redshirted this past season.