To say it's been a busy offseason for Brad Brownell and Clemson basketball would be a massive understatement. The Tigers lost nine guys via transfer or to graduation and that left Brownell scrambling, trying to piece together a competent squad for 2025-26.
After finishing 27-7 with a crushing first-round NCAA Tournament loss to McNeese, Brownell felt the pressure to get back to work immediately to make sure a great season isn't wasted again.
The season has been over for about a month now, and Brownell has been busy adding to his 2025-26 roster and it looks like he's got quite the squad in place. He just landed his sixth transfer on Tuesday night in the form of coveted Middle Tennessee guard Jestin Porter.
It feels like the roster is at capacity.
But a report surfaced earlier on Tuesday that Clemson had reached out to one of the more promising young guards in the portal in sophomore Jordan Ross from Saint Mary's.
Saint Mary’s transfer Jordan Ross has heard from these schools since hitting the portal, he told @LeagueRDY:
— Sam Kayser (@247HSHoops) April 22, 2025
Washington
Mississippi State
Clemson
Gonzaga
Iowa
Vanderbilt
Kansas State
St John’s
Washington State
UNLV
Seton Hall
He averaged 8.3PPG, 3.1RPG and 2.6APG this… https://t.co/w00nQnjnGW pic.twitter.com/PA5zHvNV5J
The addition of Porter likely eliminates Clemson from the running for Ross, or it could be the case that Brownell is expecting another roster spot to open up for next season. Either way, Ross may be a name to keep an eye on -- for now.
The sophomore guard from Saint Mary's averaged 8.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists this past season and didn't exactly shoot the ball well, making just 29 percent of his threes and 38 percent from the field. Plus, he was converting just 69 percent of his free throws -- just 27 percent last year.
Maybe there's some upside there, but Clemson got the guard it truly needed in Porter.