At the ACC Tipoff in Charlotte, Clemson head coach Shawn Poppie didn’t talk about isolation plays or flashy scorers. Instead, he preached “pretty basketball.”
And to him, that phrase isn’t about aesthetics — it’s about identity.
“In 2025, there’s a lot of one-on-one basketball,” Poppie said. “A lot of watching one person dribble, not a ton of movement. Our style is the complete opposite of that. We’re all going to touch it. We’re going to share it. Every movement we make is for each other.”
The viral clip he referenced — a smooth, five-player sequence from a recent Clemson practice — perfectly captured that vision.
“We went side to side, all five touched it, played inside-out,” Poppie said. “When the shot went up, everyone celebrated because it didn’t matter who scored — it mattered that Clemson women’s basketball was successful.”
The Culture Is the System
That idea — that culture and style are inseparable — has become Poppie’s coaching mantra.
“I had a speaking engagement last week,” he said. “People asked, ‘What’s your style?’ Well, hopefully our culture is our style, and vice versa.”
That culture centers on unselfishness, communication, and joy. Every possession is designed with purpose. Every player’s movement is meant to create something for someone else.
It’s a team-first mentality that has quickly resonated throughout Clemson’s locker room — and beyond.
Building Buy-In, One Possession at a Time
Poppie’s second-year roster is bigger, faster, and more experienced — but perhaps its greatest strength lies in connection. Players like Demea Hinds have brought an interior presence that allows Clemson to flow naturally from the post to the perimeter.
The result? A team that doesn’t just play together — it feels together.
“When we celebrate each other, that’s when it’s fun,” Poppie said. “And I think our fan base feels that. That’s why the growth we’ve had in such a short time has been so special. The Clemson family is really hopping on board with these young women.”
Why “Pretty Basketball” Matters
For Poppie, this isn’t just about winning games — it’s about creating a product that reflects who his players are and how they play for each other. It’s the kind of basketball that attracts recruits, excites fans, and builds sustainable success.
“Pretty basketball,” he says, “is the purest form of basketball.”
And if early signs are any indication, Clemson’s version might soon be the prettiest thing in the ACC.