Six days after Clemson added a first-team-all-Ivy League point guard, he has now reopened his recruitment.
Transfer Jaelin Llewellyn has reopened his recruitment six days after Clemson basketball officially announced the addition of the former Princeton point guard.
“I am still considering Clemson as my home for next year, but due to recent changes, my family and I have decided to reopen my recruitment in order to reconsider the best options,” Llewellyn said on Twitter.
As a first-team-all-Ivy League guard last season, Llewellyn averaged 15.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists a game while shooting nearly 45% from the field and 39% from three.
The announcement comes days after Clemson lost the second assistant coach this offseason in Kareem Richardson, who is moving to North Carolina State. The first assistant on the move was Antonio Reynolds Dean, who was with the Tigers for the past five years and left for Georiga on April 12.
With the loss of former Clemson guards Nick Honor and Al-Amir Dawes, Llewellyn reopening his recruitment adds salt to a wound the Tigers had started to heal.
Brad Brownell’s phone is buzzing more than usual these days. “I’ve got more friends than ever,” he said. That’s because Clemson’s head men’s basketball coach suddenly has a pair of vacancies on his staff. Antonio Reynolds Dean, who spent five …
Brad Brownell’s phone is buzzing more than usual these days.
“I’ve got more friends than ever,” he said.
That’s because Clemson’s head men’s basketball coach suddenly has a pair of vacancies on his staff. Antonio Reynolds Dean, who spent five seasons at Clemson, was the first departure, leaving to be part of Mike White’s first coaching staff at Georgia early last week. The Clemson Insider has confirmed Kareem Richardson is also leaving after just one season on Brownell’s bench, though he’s remaining in the ACC at North Carolina State.
A day after Georgia made Reynolds Dean’s hire official, Brownell said he wasn’t surprised Reynolds Dean was courted by other programs and that Clemson tried to retain him “as best we could,” though Georgia made him an associate head coach. Brownell said that bump in title may have come with a slight pay raise, but Brownell, who said he didn’t know exactly why Reynolds Dean left, suggested the pull for the Atlanta native to be closer to home and help try to resurrect a Georgia program that won just six games a season ago was likely too much for Clemson to overcome.
“You hear through the coaching grapevine things, and you can kind of read the tea leaves,” Brownell said. “They’re going to have to get at Atlanta guy, and there’s only a couple of guys that are of Coach Dean’s stature that are from Atlanta and really connected to a lot of folks.”
Brownell has not publicly commented on Richardson’s move to N.C. State, which has yet to officially announce his hire. But Brownell said he’s heard from former head coaches, young sitting assistants and nearly every kind of coach in between hoping for an opportunity to fill those vacancies.
“There are other (coaches) that feel like they’re in a tough situation and want to go somewhere new, a fresh start. Excitement to come to the ACC,” Brownell said. “I think, a lot of people, they think we have a chance to have a good team.”
Brownell laid out what he’s looking for in his next assistants, saying he wants “a really good guy with integrity” that can coach and recruit effectively. He suggested race, age and location won’t be factors in his search.
“Be a good role model for our players and interact with our players with relationships,” Brownell said. “Does he have to be 35? Can he be 55? Does he have to be black? Does he have to be white? Does he have to be from Atlanta? Does he have to be (from somewhere else)? He’s got to be able to do his job is what he’s got to be able to do.”
As for a timetable to have those positions filled, Brownell said he doesn’t have one.
“It’s kind of exciting in some ways,” Brownell said. “It’s a little stressful for me, but that’s like an obligation to certain guys in terms of trying to help them try to continue to advance. I think sometimes people forget, too, that these coaches have families, too. So everything’s got to fit. Sometimes there are family dynamics involved in all these situations that play into account with what’s going on, but I’m in no rush right now.”
Brad Brownell has an opening to fill on his coaching staff. Antonio Reynolds Dean, an assistant for Clemson’s men’s basketball for the past five seasons, is leaving to join Mike White’s staff at Georgia, a Clemson team spokesperson told The Clemson …
Brad Brownell has an opening to fill on his coaching staff.
Antonio Reynolds Dean, an assistant for Clemson’s men’s basketball for the past five seasons, is leaving to join Mike White’s staff at Georgia, a Clemson team spokesperson told The Clemson Insider. Dean’s hire was later announced by Georgia.
Since joining Clemson’s staff following the 2016-17 season after a stint as an assistant at Rhode Island, Reynolds Dean has worked primarily with the Tigers’ forwards and centers, helping recruit and develop some of Clemson’s top bigs. Forward Aamir Simms, now in the NBA’s G-League, led the Tigers in scoring in back-to-back seasons, averaging a career-high 13.4 points as a senior in 2021. Elijah Thomas was named to the all-ACC defensive team in consecutive years after leading Clemson in blocks during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons.
Sophomore big PJ Hall enjoyed a breakout year this past season, leading Clemson in scoring at 15.5 points per game. The 6-foot-10, 240-pounder also averaged 5.7 rebounds despite dealing with a nagging foot injury en route to all-league honorable mention honors.
Reynolds Dean is a native of Atlanta. Kareem Richardson and Dick Bender remain part of Clemson’s coaching staff.
Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.
Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help. #SaveNicks
Clemson assistant coach Antonio Reynolds Dean has some good news for a talented, in-state prospect on Saturday night. Following Clemson’s 70-56 win over South Carolina, Dean handed out an offer to Coen Carr, a 2023 three-star power forward from …
Clemson assistant coach Antonio Reynolds Dean has some good news for a talented, in-state prospect on Saturday night.
Following Clemson’s 70-56 win over South Carolina, Dean handed out an offer to Coen Carr, a 2023 three-star power forward from Greenville’s (S.C.) Legacy Early College.
“It was good,” Carr told The Clemson Insider.“That was one of the schools that it’s still really close to home. My dad’s from South Carolina. It was really exciting getting that offer.”
Throughout the recruitment process, Carr has grown close with Dean, who has coached and developed players that are similar in style and build to himself.
“He loves me. He talks with me all the time about how I can kind of play like people he’s coached like K.J. McDaniels,” Carr said. “He really loves the way that I play and the motor I play with.”
Carr (6-7, 215) is a player that likes to bring a lot of energy on both ends of the court. He does whatever’s asked of him — rebound, block shots, pass and score — he’s one of those players who can do it all.
Carr said that Dean views him as someone who plays and guards multiple positions at the next level. He indicated that Dean wants to make sure he develops his perimeter skills, which is something he needs to work on and has already focused on during his junior season.
“They were telling me that I could bring the ball up the court sometimes, play off the ball,” Carr said. “I can maybe post up a little bit against smaller players.
Fortunately for Clemson, Carr was able to see Hunter Tyson record his first career double-double during Saturday’s win.
“He got three backdoor cuts in a row,” he said. “I like the way they emphasize their players on cutting off-ball movement because that’s something I really like to do, cut backdoor and stuff like that.”
Carr made his third unofficial visit to The Valley this past weekend. He had been in attendance at Memorial Stadium two times prior, but the Tigers were finally able to get the in-state prospect in for a game at the Littlejohn Coliseum.
What was the part of Carr’s latest visit that resonated with him the most?
“Really the culture,” he said. “All the people — it was random people — they came up to me asking me if I was a recruit. They saw my little tag and they just came up to me and said how they want me to go to their school and it’s a great place.”
At the game on Saturday, Carr was sitting in front of Dabo Swinney’s wife, Kathleen.
“She was real nice,” Carr said. “She was asking me questions. She was making sure I had something to eat during halftime. It was just a family-type feel over there, really.
He’s seen the best of both worlds and was able to take a deeper dive into Clemson’s basketball program based on Saturday’s experience.
“It’s great, great vibes,” Carr said. “The atmosphere is amazing. They got football, obviously, everyone knows football, but basketball is really on the come up. They got great facilities, great practice gyms, really everything I need to become a better player over there and develop.”
“It’s a lot of good players that come out from there,” he added, “because when I visited, I saw all the players on the wall. They got a lot of good talent at Clemson.”
Christmas is right around the corner. Once again Clemson Variety & Frame is ready to make it a special holiday for your favorite Tiger.
Order today to make sure your gift arrives in time for Christmas.
Last night, R.J. Godfrey was still debating between Clemson and Ole Miss. He woke up Wednesday morning and knew that Clemson was the best place for him to be. He got out of bed and told his parents. They were all for it. Godfrey walked The Clemson …
Last night, R.J. Godfrey was still debating between Clemson and Ole Miss.
He woke up Wednesday morning and knew that Clemson was the best place for him to be. He got out of bed and told his parents. They were all for it.
Godfrey walked The Clemson Insider through his decision to commit to Clemson.
“It’s close to home,” Godfrey explained. “My family wants me to go there. My brother [Grant], he’s being recruited by Clemson football, so that would be great if we both team up one day.”
“I thought Clemson was the perfect fit for me in terms of environment, just being there and experiencing that family environment,” he added. “Also, from a basketball standpoint, I think Coach [Antonio Reynolds] Dean is going to heighten my potential, just like what he’s done, for example, Aamir Simms. Last year he really improved him as a player and I think he can do the same for me and get me to that next level.”
Godfrey touted the ability to play in the best basketball conference in America as a reason for choosing Clemson over schools like Ole Miss and Texas Tech. Clemson gets to face off against the likes of Virginia, Louisville, Duke, UNC and Florida State, so going up against those powerhouse schools at least once a season was intriguing to Godfrey.
“I just think Clemson was the perfect fit for me,” he continued. “I have a couple of friends on that team: Ian Schieffelin, can’t wait to work with him when I get there, and Chauncey [Wiggins] from Grayson and also Chase Hunter, a childhood friend. So, I can’t wait to get up there and work with them.”
Speaking of relationships and close connections, the bond Godfrey built with Clemson assistant Antonio Reynolds Dean was like no other on the recruiting trail. It played a big part in his decision to commit to Clemson.
“Coach Dean, I mean he’s probably the most chill and honest coach I’ve talked to yet,” Godfrey said. “He’s just straight up. He says things how it is. That’s what I really like about him. He’s also committed to getting players better too. I’ve seen that just from talking to Ian Schieffelin. He’s real committed to getting those players to the league and also winning a lot of games. I feel like he has a nice plan for me when I get there. His plan is already laid out for me right now. I’m excited to be working with him.”
Godfrey might not have met Dean if it wasn’t for his AAU coach Winfred Jordan, who is the head coach of Atlanta Xpress.
“He was the one who introduced me to Coach Dean, I would say about early March,” he said. “I know my AAU coach and Coach Dean are very close. They trust one another and I know Coach Winfred, he trusts Coach Dean to better me not just as a player, but as a person on and off the court. They’re real close now. I know Coach Dean has been working with Winfred since he was a teenager. I know they have a really, really tight relationship.”
Godfrey phoned Dean around 10 minutes prior to posting his decision on social media Wednesday.
His reaction?
“He just started freaking out,” Godfrey said. “He was in his office. I just told him, ‘Coach, I’m coming.’ He started yelling. He ran to the meeting room because they were having a meeting about film and he ran in there and I informed Coach [Brad] Brownell and said, ‘Coach, I’m coming. I’m gonna be a Tiger!’ Coach Brownell started jumping up and down, so that was real fun. And, Coach [Dick] Bender was real excited too. I just can’t wait to get up there.”
Godfrey plans to use his final official visit at Clemson.
“I can’t wait for that,” he added.
However, Godfrey doesn’t believe it’ll be anytime soon because of his high school basketball season schedule, and then Grant will be in Knoxville (TN.) next weekend for an unofficial at the University of Tennessee. He can’t get up to Tiger Town anytime soon, but he’s looking forward to it nonetheless.
R.J. went into detail about what it would mean to join forces with Grant at the next level. Though, he’s going to let his younger brother make his own eventual decision and will be happy for him whether he goes all the way across the country or right down the street at Clemson’s football complex.
“That would mean a lot because he’s basically my twin brother, we’re 13 months apart,” he said. “That’s the guy I have the best relationship in this world with. That would mean a lot to me and my family. Both [Godfrey] boys being close to home, an hour and 20 minutes from home, I think that would be very impactful to college sports if me and him went to Clemson together.”
Once R.J. arrives on campus, what can Clemson fans expect out of him?
“A lot of excitement,” Godfrey said. “I’m a very fun player to watch. A lot of huge blocked shots from me. I’m a pretty elite rim protector, like [Tuesday] night in the first four minutes, I had four blocks. So, just expect a lot of big-time defensive plays and a lot of nice highlight dunks too. And, I bring the energy. I wouldn’t say I’m the most energetic person on the court, but I make highlight plays and I love getting the crowd involved and getting the crowd loud and stuff. Probably, a lot of energy and I would say I’m a decent winner too. Expect a lot of improvement from not just me, but just the team and a lot of energy too. I just can’t wait to get to Clemson next summer.”
A correct characterization of Godfrey’s game is that he’s a versatile playmaker, who also has elite athleticism. He can switch 1-5 on defense and also play 1-4 on offense. Godfrey is also an above-average passer. Last season, he averaged four assists per game, which he added is the “most underrated” part of what he brings to the table.
The main thing Clemson stressed to Godfrey throughout its recruiting pitch is that he can come in and play right away. According to Godfrey, the Tigers believe his body is already at an NBA level. They think he has the body and the skills to make an immediate impact at either the 3 or the 4.
Time to get the latest Clemson apparel to show your Tiger pride. Order your officially licensed Clemson gear right here!
The Clemson Insider checked in with a priority recruit in the class of 2022, who was on campus this past weekend. North Gwinett (Suwanee, Ga.) three-star forward R.J. Godfrey took in an unofficial visit as he begins to narrow down his recruitment. …
The Clemson Insider checked in with a priority recruit in the class of 2022, who was on campus this past weekend.
North Gwinett (Suwanee, Ga.) three-star forward R.J. Godfrey took in an unofficial visit as he begins to narrow down his recruitment. He dropped a top-6 last week, which includes Clemson, along with Georgia, Georgia Tech, Texas Tech, Ole Miss and Utah.
Standing at 6-foot-7, 210-pounds, Godfrey’s game is predicated on his versatility and top-flight athleticism. Of course, it helps that the top-150 prospect is the son of former NFL linebacker, Randall Godfrey.
“This weekend was my first time on Clemson’s campus,” Godfrey told TCI. “It was very surprising. It surprised me, as soon as I got up there, seeing the football field when you first get there and how the basketball [facilities] are right next to it. Me and my brother [Grant] automatically, just looked at each other because if we both end up at Clemson, we’d be right next to each other. That’s always good.”
North Gwinett (Suwanee, Ga.) 2022 three-star power forward R.J. Godfrey and his brother, four-star linebacker Grant Godfrey during their unofficial visit to Clemson on Saturday, Oct. 30.
Godfrey spent most of his day in the basketball facility. He watched practice with a couple of other recruits.
“The practice went well,” he said. “I saw a lot of old guys I played against like [freshman forward] Ian Schieffelin and I grew up watching [sophomore guard] Chase Hunter. So, it was good seeing them practice again. The visit on Saturday, it was great. I got to see the training room, the locker room. All that was nice, top-tier stuff.”
Godfrey was able to get a sense of the family atmosphere that has become a huge selling point in Clemson’s recruiting pitch.
“What stuck out to me the most was probably how close everybody was,” Godfrey explained. “They had meals after practice. It was like a big ol’ meal for everybody there. The whole team was there. The camaraderie was there with the team. Also with [sophomore forward] P.J. Hall and Coach Brownell, they seem really close. Just like the camaraderie with everybody there. Coach [Kareem] Richardson too, we were all talking.”
He later was accompanied by Clemson head coach Brad Brownell for the football team’s 30-20 win over Florida State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
Godfrey and his brother, Grant, are close with Clemson’s true freshman linebacker Barrett Carter. Though, R.J. didn’t get to see his close friend score his first career touchdown to seal Clemson’s 10-point victory over FSU because he and his mother had left the game early for a meeting with Brownell and assistant coach Antonio Reynolds Dean.
“We really haven’t talked about the school as a whole,” Godfrey said of his conversations with Carter about Clemson. “He’s just like, ‘Hey man, pull up to Clemson. It’s the place to be. It’s great here. Just pull up.’ I might as well ‘cause it’s a great program and I mean, I love it there.”
According to Godfrey, Clemson started pushing him “real hard” about two weeks ago. He kind of figured an offer was eventually coming because every single coach on Clemson’s staff was in there to see him at one point.
The first time Godfrey met with Brownell was when he came down to North Gwinnett back in September. Clemson’s head coach watched Godfrey work out with his team as they prepared for the season ahead.
“He’s a really cool guy,” Godfrey said. “His track record is pretty good in terms of wins and getting guys to the league. We started building that relationship. We talked about a lot of football. He asked a lot about my dad and stuff. He and my dad got along well. Me and him, we really get along.”
While Brownell is heavily involved with Godfrey, he’s also been in contact daily with Lucas McKay. He was on FaceTime with Clemson’s director of recruiting for close to an hour on Tuesday night. Godfrey has also heard a lot from assistant coach Dick Bender, who’s maintained close contact with him over the past two months or so.
What part of Clemson’s recruiting pitch has resonated with Godfrey the most?
“Probably just how they see me as a high-level NBA guy like Coach Dean said he’s going to change me and change me for the better,” Godfrey said. “He said he’s gonna work with me. We went over a lot of film when he was down here last week, like pointing out my weaknesses and what I need to work on, but also pointing out some strong suits that he’s gonna get me better with. They’re really just pitching to me how they’re gonna change me as a player and get me to that high level, where I need to be.”
“I think because of my body and with my skill set, I could play right away,” he added. “They got the right people, they got the right coaches for me to succeed there. I sure do think I could play early there.”
Last week, Dean stopped by Godfrey’s practice. He was at his house the week before and has now been down to Suwanne, Ga. in consecutive weeks. That’s been a common theme, as he’ll have plenty of coaches visiting before he eventually makes his decision.
Godfrey had Ole Miss’s coaching staff come in to visit on Wednesday night, while Brownell and Dean will be at his house on Thursday evening. Texas Tech will be there on Friday and then Godfrey will take his final visit to Georgia Tech this weekend.
How does Godfrey envision the rest of his recruitment playing out?
“During that dead period, I’m gonna make my decision within the next week,” he said. “I’m just gonna take time during that dead period and think about what school is the right school and I’ll make a choice.”
Godfrey is set out to make a decision sometime early next week and he plans on signing with his new team during the early signing period.
“The recruitment process has been such a blessing because I’ve worked so hard for this,” Godfrey said. “This is all I dreamt for and prayed for at night. I’m sad that it’s ending, but I’m also happy that I’m choosing my next path in life.”
It’s a bittersweet moment for the Clemson target.
Time to get the latest Clemson apparel to show your Tiger pride. Order your officially licensed Clemson gear right here!
Chauncey Gibson wanted to feel like he was at home. He found that at Clemson. It’s why the Kimball (TX.) product didn’t leave Tiger Town without offering a verbal pledge, making him the second Chauncey to join Clemson’s 2022 recruiting class. Gibson …
Chauncey Gibson wanted to feel like he was at home.
He found that at Clemson.
It’s why the Kimball (TX.) product didn’t leave Tiger Town without offering a verbal pledge, making him the second Chauncey to join Clemson’s 2022 recruiting class.
Gibson detailed his decision with The Clemson Insider on Sunday night.
“When I was down there and by the end of the visit, they made me feel like I was at home,” he told TCI. “The players, they treated me well, they made me feel like I was already a player on the team. I only hung out with five of them, but all five of them made me feel at home.
“The coaches made me feel at home. They told me some stuff that any player would love to hear, going to the next level. That played a big role. I really think they’re going to help me get to the next level.”
Gibson told Clemson’s coaching staff at Breakfast Saturday morning that he would be committing to the Tigers over schools like SMU, Texas Tech and Old Dominon.
Their reaction?
“They was happy. They was real happy, especially Coach Brownell,” Gibson said. “He was happy.”
Gibson’s recruitment was spearheaded by both assistant coach Antonio Reynolds Dean and director of recruiting Lucas McKay. Though, Clemson head coach Brad Brownell played a significant role throughout and during Gibson’s official visit.
What part of Clemson’s recruiting pitch resonated the most with Gibson?
“The way they was coming at me,” he said. “They came at me pretty hard. They came at me. They called every day, probably twice a day. They called every day, so that played a big part in it. I feel like I was a priority. I feel like they needed me and wanted me and I felt like I needed them and wanted to be there.”
Even though he’s been committed for just two days now, it means a lot to Gibson that Clemson continues to reach out every day and check in on him. That goes a long way.
While it was ultimately Gibson’s decision, his parents felt the same way about Clemson. That family feeling was apparent as soon he walked into the Littlejohn Coliseum. Everybody welcomed him with warm and open arms.
“When I walked in the arena, I was so amazed,” he said. “I was amazed. And then, when we went into breaking down what role I would be playing here, I was amazed that I would have to play a big role like that. I would think I would just come in being a shooter. They want me to come in and fill big shoes, facilitate the offense, knock down open shots. So, they want me to come in and be an all-around player. I gotta get stronger. I gotta get faster. I gotta get quicker. I gotta get more mentally smart. I’m in it to work. We gotta get the job done.”
Gibson touched on the role that Clemson envisions for him, but he provided some more details.
“I gotta come in,” he added. “I know one thing I gotta defend, be ready to defend 94-feet. Another thing they told me I gotta do, is really, I gotta rebound. That’s really it. Any coach wants a leader, but they want me to come in, lead the team. They’re gonna tell me what I do wrong and I gotta be coachable and everything.”
When Gibson was leaving to return home to Texas, fellow Class of 2022 commit Chauncey Wiggins was coming in. The four-star pledge, who was a major addition from Grayson (Loganville, Ga.), thrives playing along the wing and can play either the 3 or 4 positions for the Tigers.
“We talked on the phone,” Gibson said. “We linked up on the phone and everything. Two Chauncey’s. It’s already gonna be a problem with us two and the people that are already there? Yeah, it’s gonna be a problem. And then, we’re trying to get Ven-Allen [Lubin]. If we get Ven-Allen? Oh, yes.”
Gibson has already talked with Lubin a couple of times since Saturday.
“I’ve told him that this is the place for him,” Gibson said. “This is where he needs to be. No other place!”
While he now puts on his recruiting cap as he tries to work Lubin, Gibson is quite happy he pushed back his own commitment date.
It allowed him to see what Clemson was all about and it certainly impacted his decision.
He couldn’t be happier to be a Tiger.
Time to get the latest Clemson apparel to show your Tiger pride. Order your officially licensed Clemson gear right here!
The Clemson Insider has learned that a priority recruit in the Class of 2022 is on campus for an official visit this weekend. Kimball (Dallas, Texas) shooting guard Chauncey Gibson is visiting Clemson, a school that made his final cut, from Oct. …
The Clemson Insider has learned that a priority recruit in the Class of 2022 is on campus for an official visit this weekend.
Kimball (Dallas, Texas) shooting guard Chauncey Gibson is visiting Clemson, a school that made his final cut, from Oct. 7-9.
“The way their coaching staff is treating me, they’ve been down since the recruitment process started and opened back up and everything,” Kimball told TCI regarding his overall impression of Clemson. “I like how they’ve been recruiting. They’ve been coming at me hard. I like the relationship I got with the coaches. I’m ready to get down there for my visit and see the campus and everything.”
While he originally stated on his Twitter account that he would be making his college decision on Thursday, Oct. 7, Gibson has elected to delay said decision until after he gets to see all that the Tigers have to offer on his visit.
Gibson blew up on the circuit this past summer and is now looking to make his decision before the start of his senior season at Kimball. While he’s now down to four schools — Clemson, SMU, Texas Tech and Old Dominion — he holds an impressive list of offers that includes the programs listed above, in addition to the University of New Mexico, Creighton, USF and Tulsa.
Gibson said that felt at home in SMU because it’s right there in his hometown, but he’s hoping he gets that same feeling in Clemson.
Distance from his hometown doesn’t matter to Gibson, though.
“I’m looking for the best fit for me,” he added. “Whatever’s going to get me to the next level.”
When it comes to Clemson’s recruitment of him, Gibson outlined Tigers’ assistant coach Antonio Reynolds Dean and director of recruiting Lucas McKay. He’s also talked with head coach Brad Brownell and assistant coach Kareem Richardson on several occasions.
“Me and Coach Luke talk every day…We have a great relationship,” Gibson said. “We talk every day. We talk about more than basketball. I have a great, great relationship, I wanna say I have a family relationship with him.”
What has Clemson told Gibson that they like about his game?
“They say that I fit very well in their system,” he said. “They’re recruiting me as a guard, like a point guard. A 6-6 point guard? That’s amazing. There’s not too many 6-6 point guards that you can find in my class.”
“They like my shot, but they say the way I shoot the ball, my shot has to be quicker playing in the ACC,” Gibson added. “The way I facilitate is my hype. Me being able to facilitate and find the open man and really being able to handle the ball under pressure because they say they’re gonna play 94-feet in the ACC, so I have to get ready for that. I really feel like I’m ready for it and they feel like I’m ready for it. Basically, me defending. Me having a 6-11 wingspan and being able to guard any position, I feel like I really fit their system and what they’re trying to do.”
Gibson is the type of player, who likes to get his teammates started before he gets himself involved. Even starting from warmups he wants to get everybody hyped and get their energy up.
Time to get the latest Clemson apparel to show your Tiger pride. Order your officially licensed Clemson gear right here!
The Clemson Insider checked in with a four-star priority recruit who was on campus this past weekend. Orlando (Fla.) Christian Prep four-star power forward Ven Allen-Lubin took in an official visit as he begins to narrow down his recruitment, which …
The Clemson Insider checked in with a four-star priority recruit who was on campus this past weekend.
Orlando (Fla.) Christian Prep four-star power forward Ven Allen-Lubin took in an official visit as he begins to narrow down his recruitment, which has been spearheaded by Clemson assistant coach Antonio Reynolds Dean and head coach Brad Brownell.
“My visit to Clemson was great. It was good to experience the atmosphere and the culture they’ve built since Coach Brownell got there,” he told TCI. “They just committed to what they do well at that school, in the classroom, and on the court. Their fanbase is crazy. Everyone is supportive, everybody’s loving, everybody cares for one another. That’s what I like about having that family environment that they have at their school. Just something I really enjoyed was actually spending time with my family over at Clemson. We also got to see what they also had to offer on the visit, so it was really cool. It was really dope.”
As TCI previously reported, Lubin was on hand for Clemson’s 19-13 win over Boston College at Memorial Stadium this past Saturday. He was taken up to the top of the hill with the high-priority football recruits and got to see one of the best traditions in college football.
“It was an amazing experience,” he said. “I honestly was clueless at the moment, what was gonna happen, what was the situation, but then seeing them coming down the hill, the fans getting loud and energy was just building. It never slacked since the beginning.”
He’s similar to some players who have had success in a Clemson uniform like Jaron Blossomgame, Aamir Simms and Donte Grantham.
“For sure,” Lubin said when asked if he feels like he can make an immediate impact at Clemson. “If I were to make my decision and go to Clemson, I feel like the way they develop their guys at my position and the history they have behind it; a way to develop guys, the skills they need to improve on and just their strengths and just continue getting better. And then, they have a higher chance of making an impact at their school and also going so far in life with their basketball career. I feel like I can trust them with that to where they can build my weakness to where they can be considered strengths and I feel like they can make me very successful in life.”
What was it about Lubin’s visit that stuck out the most?
“That family culture. That’s something that I was really looking for in college,” he said. “That family environment, somewhere that I can feel safe and be me and feel like I could really call it home. I feel like I can really call it home because wherever everybody cares about me, I feel like they’re gonna be my next family, like my Clemson family. They really supported me on that and that was kind of a big thing that stuck out because they also treat the other players like that. I feel like if I were to come to the school, I feel like I would be loved, respected and cared for.”
Lubin’s family was left impressed as well. What stuck out to them was the academic portion of the visit, which will certainly play a huge role in his eventual decision.
“I would say mainly the way the school’s run,” he said. “My parents are really big on academics and their academics are really high. They have academic advisors, tutors and all that stuff to really help student-athletes to where you can be successful in the classroom and not ever fail. If you’re ever struggling you can always come to them. I just feel like they don’t have to worry about me failing class or being unsafe or anything about me that could actually harm me in the future just in that environment. That’s really something that stuck out to them.”
The state of Florida officially begins practice on Nov. 1. While Lubin doesn’t have an exact date in mind, he plans on making his decision sometime in mid-November, before the start of his senior season.
He’s narrowed his recruitment down to four teams: Clemson, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech. By the end of next weekend, Lubin will have taken an official visit to all four schools and will begin to weigh his options.
Lubin originally had a top-7, which included Florida, Auburn and Alabama. He will not be taking an official visit to any of those programs, so they’re seemingly eliminated from contention.
“Just as the way since the beginning of my recruitment,” he said when asked how he envisions the remainder of his recruitment playing out. “Just lay back, trust the process and go through it. See the details of every school, what they have to offer and then make the comparisons of what school has what and just communicate that with my family. Sooner enough later, I’ll make my decision.”
What part of Clemson’s recruiting pitch resonated the most with Lubin?
“They don’t promise anything,” Lubin said. “They feel like I have a big opportunity to start for the team as a freshman. The opportunity is there for me, of course, it’s not going to be given, but it will be earned…I have the opportunity just to come out and make a major impact on that team.”
Time to get the latest Clemson apparel to show your Tiger pride. Order your officially licensed Clemson gear right here!
