Once you've worn the Paw, the Clemson family keeps tabs on you—and right now, everyone is buzzing about the massive leap Del Jones just took. After spending his freshman year in the Upstate learning the ropes under Brad Brownell, the 6-foot-2 guard took his talents to Radford, and boy, did he make it count.
But the latest word is that the "Upstate alum" isn't staying put. After just one season with the Highlanders, Jones is planning to enter the transfer portal once again, looking to parlay a breakout sophomore campaign into a new opportunity.
From the Bench to the All-Big South Team
We saw flashes of that elite speed during his time at Clemson, where he averaged 3.8 points and 1.5 rebounds in 11.8 minutes per game. However, after transferring to Radford to find more floor time, Jones absolutely exploded.
He didn't just play; he took over. Starting all 32 games for the Highlanders this season, Jones became a certified bucket-getter, leading the way with 17.2 points and 2.3 assists per game. While his 31% mark from beyond the arc shows he’s still honing that long-range stroke, his sheer playmaking ability earned him second-team All-Big South honors.
A High-Major Talent on the Market
Jones originally signed with Clemson as a highly-touted four-star recruit out of Arizona Compass Prep, choosing the Tigers over a long list of high-major offers. Now, with a year of proven high-volume production under his belt, he becomes one of the more intriguing guards available in the portal.
The "once-a-Tiger" standout shot 41.6% from the field this season and proved he can handle the heavy lifting of a primary scoring option. As he looks for his third home in as many years, Clemson fans will certainly be watching to see if this former Tiger finds his way back to a power conference.
One thing is for sure: wherever he lands, they're getting a playmaker who has officially found his stride.