Scenarios for Clemson Men’s Basketball starting 5 next season
By John Chancey
Clemson Men’s Basketball will embark on the post-PJ Hall era in 2024-25. Hall will move on to the professional ranks after a notable career with the Tigers that has some talking about honors such as retiring his jersey.
As much fun as it is to reminisce about Hall’s career and the way he and the 2023-24 team capped it off by advancing to the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament, head coach Brad Brownell hasn’t been afforded that luxury. Despite an incoming class of three freshmen, Brownell had to fill more holes this offseason, and we aren’t sure he is done yet.
Guard Chase Hunter is exploring his options for a pro career but has retained the ability to return for his final season of college eligibility. He will need to make his final decision in the coming weeks.
Hunter’s decision is the biggest variable in projecting the starting line-up for Clemson next season. Brownell is hopeful he will return, but nothing is guaranteed.
Scenario No. 1: Chase Hunter returns to Clemson Men’s Basketball
This would give the Tigers the guard duo of Hunter and Jaeden Zackery, a transfer from Boston College. Zackery is listed by 247Sports as a shooting guard who had 4.7 assists last season. I suspect that Hunter would draw the point guard responsibilities in this scenario, allowing Zackery to be his natural shooting guard position.
Transfer Viktor Lakhin would likely step into the center position. He is 6’-9” and can match up defensively with most big men. Ian Schieffelin and Chauncey Wiggins would likely occupy the power and small forward spots, respectively.
PG: Chase Hunter
SG: Jaeden Zackery
SF: Chauncey Wiggins
PF: Ian Schieffelin
C: Viktor Lakhin
Scenario No. 2: Chase Hunter decides to go pro, Dillon Hunter steps in
In this scenario, there would probably still be a Hunter in the line-up because the next man up at the point is Dillon Hunter, who showed flashes last season but also didn’t see the floor consistently. This would be Brownell’s call. Is Dillon ready for the starting role? Who would be the backup?
PG: Dillon Hunter
SG: Jaeden Zackery
SF: Chauncey Wiggins
PF: Ian Schieffelin
C: Viktor Lakhin
Brownell would need to consider these factors: 1) Dillon’s readiness, 2) Zackery’s ability to run the point in Dillon’s absence, and 3) Can a freshman (Del Jones or Ace Buckner) be relied upon to back up Dillon?
Even if Brownell thinks Dillon is ready, I think he would want to add a point guard for depth.
Scenario No. 3: Dillon Hunter isn’t ready, Brad Brownell hits the portal for his starter
PG: Another transfer
SG: Jaeden Zackery
SF: Chauncey Wiggins
PF: Ian Schieffelin
C: Viktor Lakhin
Flashes of talent don’t equate to consistent production, and we haven’t seen enough of Dillon to know if he is ready. Only Brownell and his staff know this. If Chase leaves and Dillon isn’t the answer, we can expect one more starting quality addition from the portal.
There are some options out there that could be a fit for Clemson. Brayon Freeman from Coastal Carolina/Rhode Island and Dwon Odom from Georgia State are two players from the southeast who have entered the portal in the past two weeks.
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