Clemson planning to redshirt this freshman

The Clemson men’s basketball team is planning to redshirt this freshman. The Clemson Insider has learned through a source that the Tigers plan to redshirt Chauncey Gibson. The 6-5, 190-pound combo guard from Dallas, Texas was rated as a three-star …

The Clemson men’s basketball team is planning to redshirt this freshman.

The Clemson Insider has learned through a source that the Tigers plan to redshirt Chauncey Gibson.

The 6-5, 190-pound combo guard from Dallas, Texas was rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals. He averaged 17.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game last season for Kimball High School.

Gibson, who chose Clemson over SMU, Old Dominion and Texas Tech, is listed as the No. 23 player in the state of Texas by Blue Zurtuche and Texas Basketball Review.

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Three standing out among Clemson’s freshman hoopsters

Clemson men’s basketball coach Brad Brownell has gotten an up-close look at his revamped roster for a few weeks now as the Tigers prepare for their upcoming foreign tour in France, and he’s largely been impressed with what he’s seen from the Tigers’ …

Clemson men’s basketball coach Brad Brownell has gotten an up-close look at his revamped roster for a few weeks now as the Tigers prepare for their upcoming foreign tour in France, and he’s largely been impressed with what he’s seen from the Tigers’ freshmen.

“It’s just a really good class,” Brownell said.

Of the five scholarship newcomers Clemson had added this offseason, four of them were playing high school basketball this time a year ago. Former Boston College guard Brevin Galloway was the Tigers’ lone addition from the transfer portal.

Dillon Hunter, Chauncey Wiggins, Chauncey Gibson and RJ Godfrey are all enrolled after signing with Clemson either this spring or last fall, and they’ve joined Galloway and the Tigers’ holdovers from last season this summer to take part in their first practices, 10 of which Clemson is allowed before departing for France on Wednesday. Brownell said Hunter, Wiggins and Godfrey have been particularly impressive with their size at their particular positions, versatility and high basketball IQ.

Hunter, the younger brother of current Tiger Chase Hunter, was the gem of the class, backing off his verbal pledge to Baylor before inking with the Tigers. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound combo guard is capable of playing on or off the ball, but Brownell called him a “natural point guard.”

The Hunter brothers spent time as their respective team’s primary ball handler during some recent 5-on-5 team periods that were open to the media for viewing, and Brownell said Hunter, whose strength has most impressed his coach, is “going to get a lot of time” at the point during the team’s games overseas.

Wiggins, an Atlanta native, is a 6-9 forward who’s capable of playing both inside and out. As for Godfrey, the 6-7, 225-pound small forward has a body type beyond his years, Brownell said.

“They’re both good players. They’re different,” Brownell said. “RJ is much more physical. Very physical and competing in the paint and at the rim. Chauncey still has to get better in that area, but he’s a skilled guy that can make shots, dribble and pass. They can both dribble and pass, they can see and they’ve got tremendous size.

“That was a big thing when we went out for the class was we’re going to go get positional size. We’ll see how guys develop and all of that, but we’re going out and coming back with a bigger team. Now we’re becoming a bigger team, and I think that’s probably a good thing moving forward.”

Gibson, who signed with the Tigers out of Kimball (Texas) High, also gives Clemson more size on the perimeter as a 6-5, 190-pound wing. Brownell said Gibson has strides he needs to make with his overall strength so that the increased physicality that comes with making the transition to the college game doesn’t bother him as much, but Gibson has caught on quickly from a mental standpoint.

“When he gets two years from now, he’s going to be a big kid,” Brownell said. “And he’s got a great attitude. He really comes into work and is pretty bright. Learns things pretty quickly. One of the faster learners of the freshmen.”

Clemson’s trip to France will include a maximum of 10 games against international competition. It will give the newcomers their first chance to compete against someone other than their teammates, something Brownell believes the group needs as it continues to get acclimated to the college game.

“We have a great group of kids. They’re phenomenal,” Brownell said. “They’re some of the nicest kids I’ve ever coached. I worry about us being a little too young and a little too nice. There’s a competitive fight that you’ve got to have to win, and we’ve got to grow that part of it up because we’re going to need some of these young guys. Hopefully the trip will give us some things to work through.”

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Brownell gives early assessment of Clemson’s retooled roster

Clemson’s men’s basketball still has one last scholarship available for next season’s roster, though there’s no guarantee at this point the Tigers are going to use it. In other words, Brad Brownell largely knows what he has to work with from a …

Clemson’s men’s basketball still has one last scholarship available for next season’s roster, though there’s no guarantee at this point the Tigers are going to use it.

In other words, Brad Brownell largely knows what he has to work with from a personnel standpoint. He is entering his 13th season in charge of Clemson’s program with a roster that features its share of turnover as the Tigers try to get back to the NCAA Tournament after a 10th-place finish in the ACC this past season.

Clemson is welcoming five signees to campus this summer, three of which are guards that will be part of a revamped backcourt after the Tigers lost David Collins (eligibility exhausted), Nick Honor (transfer) and Al-Amir Dawes (transfer) off last season’s team. The group is headlined by Boston College transfer Brevin Galloway and combo guard Dillon Hunter, the brother of current Tiger Chase Hunter.

There are also seven holdovers from last year’s squad, most notably the starting frontcourt tandem of Hunter Tyson and leading scorer PJ Hall. With the roster getting a head start in preparation for next season with an international trip to France looming in August, Brownell recently gave The Clemson Insider an early assessment of the group’s similarities and differences compared to last year’s team.

“It’ll be interesting to see what our team is like next year,” Brownell said. “I think we’ll still play through PJ a good bit because he’s one of the better players in the league.”

As a sophomore, Hall averaged 15.5 points and 5.8 rebounds as one of the ACC’s most improved players. He did it while playing through a fractured left foot that has since been surgically repaired.

Regardless of who’s handling the ball in the backcourt, Brownell said the Tigers will continue to make sure the 6-foot-10, 240-pound is involved on the interior, something Brownell didn’t feel like they did well enough in the early going last season. Hall averaged just 3.5 points in 9.8 minutes per game as a true freshman.

“That was one of the challenges of last year’s team was I think he emerged as a high-profile player and really our most talented, best player earlier than everyone anticipated, even myself,” Brownell said. “I thought it’d take him until the middle of December or Christmas to really become (that kind of player), but it didn’t. He was ready to go in November, and I think it was challenging for some other guys on our team to understand that here’s a guy that didn’t play much as a freshman, but he’s really our most talented player and we’ve got to do some things within the way we play to make sure he’s our No. 1 option.”

With Galloway, true freshman Chauncey Gibson and the Hunter brothers part of a backcourt that includes Alex Hemenway and redshirt freshman Josh Beadle, Brownell said Clemson will “still look to shoot the 3, try to share the basketball and play the right way.” As for how he expects next year’s team to differentiate, Brownell said having and keeping a clean bill of health will go a long way in determining that.

“We couldn’t do some things defensively that maybe we like to do because of PJ’s injury,” Brownell said. “He just wasn’t as mobile. … If he gets healthy, we can play a little bit different defensively if we want to.”

Brownell threw Tyson into that equation, too. Clemson’s fifth-year senior decided to return for one more season with the Tigers after missing eight ACC games with a broken collarbone this past season. Tyson still finished as Clemson’s fourth-leading scorer (10.0 points per game) and third-leading rebounder (5.5). 

“There was obviously a major dropoff when he wasn’t out there not only because of his points and rebounds but leadership and just his toughness. A captain,” Brownell said. “He’s a competitive guy that just brings a lot to our team, so having him back will be huge for us. I’m excited for him. He’s going to have a good year next year.”

Foreign tour a chance for Clemson hoops to ‘begin to put the pieces together’

Clemson’s men’s basketball team won’t have to wait until the fall to start playing games again. Head coach Brad Brownell confirmed to The Clemson Insider on Thursday that his team will take a preseason trip to France this summer. The Tigers’ …

Clemson’s men’s basketball team won’t have to wait until the fall to start playing games again.

Head coach Brad Brownell confirmed to The Clemson Insider on Thursday that his team will take a preseason trip to France this summer. The Tigers’ international tour will take place Aug. 3-13, according to Stadium’s Jeff Goodman.

Not since 2019 has Clemson traveled overseas, something the NCAA allows basketball teams to do once every four years. Brownell said those European trips, which have included Italy and Spain, have been productive for his teams in the past.

“We’ve done well every time we’ve gone overseas,” Brownell said. “Obviously the chance to go out and experience a little bit of a different culture and learn some other things beyond the United States is really good for our guys. It gives us a great chance to blend and get to know each other a little bit better and spend more time away from basketball, which is good.”

It will give the Tigers a head start on not only preparation for the 2022-23 season but also cohesion within a team that will have its share of new pieces. With four-star combo guard Dillon Hunter freshly in the mix, Clemson is making five new additions, including Boston College transfer Brevin Galloway, to a roster that includes notable holdovers Hunter Tyson and PJ Hall, the Tigers’ leading scorer a season ago.

The number of newcomers could increase by one should Clemson use its final available scholarship for next season’s roster, something the Tigers will do through the transfer portal if it happens. Clemson will get 10 days to practice before making the trip and then play numerous exhibition games against international competition during its 11 days overseas.

“We can practice a little bit more, play some games over there and just kind of begin to put the pieces together for this year’s team,” Brownell said. “So it should be good.”

Particularly for the incoming freshmen. Joining Hunter in the Tigers’ freshmen class are fellow guard Chauncey Gardner and forwards Chauncey Wiggins and R.J. Godfrey, all of whom signed with Clemson in November. It might not come against other Division I players, but Brownell said the overseas competition will help give the Tigers’ first-year players an idea of what to expect at the college level.

“Get acclimated to what life is going to be like,” Brownell said. “The games aren’t the same as the high-major games, but just to be able to play and get used to playing with each other and practicing I think is really important.”

Whether or not Hall will be available to play during the international tour is unknown. Brownell said he expects the Tigers’ sophomore big to be somewhat limited until at least mid-July after Hall recently underwent surgery to repair his fractured left foot.

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Clemson lands three-star 2022 point guard

Clemson men’s basketball added a fourth, highly-touted recruit to its 2022 class on Wednesday.

In an offseason with plenty of turnover and unexpected twists, Clemson men’s basketball added a 2022 three-star recruit to its incoming freshman class on Wednesday.

According to Joe Tipton of On3, Dillon Hunter, brother of current Clemson guard Chase Hunter, has committed to Clemson. Out of Wichita, Kansas, Hunter is the No. 127 overall prospect, according to On3 2022 Consensus.

The 6-foot-3 guard chose the Tigers over five other schools, including Baylor, Auburn and Georgia. Dillon Hunter signed a letter of intent to Baylor in November but decommitted on April 18, just two days before the move to the Tigers.

Dillon Hunter’s commitment helps alleviate the hole left behind by former Clemson guards Nick Honor and Al-Amir Dawes, who both entered the transfer portal after last season. The Tigers were thought to have added Princeton transfer guard Jaelin Llewellyn a week ago, but Llewellyn announced his recruitment reopening on Tuesday.

With the addition of Dillon Hunter, Clemson now has four members of its 2022 recruiting class, which includes three-star forward RJ Godfrey and three-star guard Chauncey Gibson.

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Signing Day: Godfrey, Wiggins and Gibson officially put pen to paper

Wednesday marked the early signing period for Division I basketball recruits in the 2022 recruiting class. Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) three-star forward Chauncey Wiggins, Kimball (Dallas, TX.) three-star combo guard Chauncey Gibson and North Gwinnett …

Wednesday marked the early signing period for Division I basketball recruits in the 2022 recruiting class.

Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) three-star forward Chauncey Wiggins, Kimball (Dallas, TX.) three-star combo guard Chauncey Gibson and North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.) three-star forward R.J. Godfrey all officially signed with the Clemson Tigers on Wednesday.

Wiggins verbally committed to Clemson on Sept. 24 over schools like Georgia, Maryland, USF and N.C. State. The Tigers got Wiggins on campus for an official visit from Sept. 10-12, which essentially sealed the deal on his recruitment.

“I feel like Clemson is the underdog ACC team,” Wiggins told The Clemson Insider. “They’re on the come-up. They just beat Duke. They just beat UNC.”

Wiggins (6-9, 200) ranks as the No. 25 power forward in the country and No. 4 prospect in the state of Georgia, per 247Sports.

He’s a versatile playmaker, who thrives playing along the wing. Wiggins expects to come in and play a similar role to that of senior forward Hunter Tyson, he said.

The Grayson product makes plays with the ball in his hands and creates scoring opportunities for himself. Defensively, he’s got the length to get his hands in passing lanes and be a disruptive force at the opposing end. He figures to play either the No. 3 or 4 position at the next level.

As for Gibson, he verbally committed to Clemson on Oct. 9 over schools like SMU, Texas Tech and Old Dominion. The Tigers were able to see Gibson on campus for an official visit that weekend and he didn’t leave Tiger Town without giving Clemson’s staff his verbal pledge.

“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 (6-6) out of Kimball (Dallas, TX.), has the size and the ability to shoot and pass at the ACC level. He also holds a unique height advantage as a tall point guard.

Last but certainly not least is Godfrey, who committed to Clemson on Wedneday afternoon. His signing became official on Thursday, but he plans on having a ceremony at his high school on Monday, Nov. 15.

“I thought Clemson was the perfect fit for me in terms of environment, just being there and experiencing that family environment,” he told TCI. “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.”

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 addition of another top-150 national prospect to the fold certainly boosts the recruiting class that coach Brad Brownell and staff have put together in this recruiting cycle. Godfrey joins Wiggins, who some recruiting services also view as a top-150 player, and Gibson, who could very well be in that conversation by the end of his senior campaign.

In any event, the Tigers have put together a really strong class and have one remaining open scholarship spot to fill.

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Gibson details commitment with TCI: Clemson ‘made me feel like I was at home’

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.

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Clemson picks up major commitment from talented Texas prospect

Clemson has landed a new commitment in the Class of 2022, The Clemson Insider has learned. While on his official visit, Kimball (Texas) guard Chauncey Gibson, elected to commit to Clemson over schools like SMU, Texas Tech and Old Dominion. TCI first …

Clemson has landed a new commitment in the Class of 2022, The Clemson Insider has learned.

While on his official visit, Kimball (Texas) guard Chauncey Gibson, elected to commit to Clemson over schools like SMU, Texas Tech and Old Dominion.

TCI first reported that Gibson would be on campus from Oct. 7-9. He originally was going to make his college decision back on Oct. 7 but elected to delay the date of his commitment with that official visit to Tiger Town in mind. 

It turned out to be foretelling for Saturday’s news.

Gibson had told TCI that he felt at home during his SMU official visit and was hoping to get that same feeling while he was in Clemson. He was also looking for a school that felt like the best fit, one that had the best chance of developing him for the next level.

It appears he did on both accounts

In his recent conversation with TCI, Gibson described a familial-like relationship with Clemson’s coaching staff and his general impressions of the team, prior to his visit.

“The way their coaching staff is treating me, they’ve been down since the recruitment process started and opened back up and everything,” Kimball said this past week. “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.”

The addition of another Chauncey to the fold further bolsters a recruiting class that’s off to a great start. 

The Tigers still have two scholarship spots available for the 2022 class with Gibson’s verbal pledge comes off the heels of Chauncey Wiggins’s commitment, which was just over two weeks ago.

Clemson has now added Gibson, a 6-6 point guard, who has the size and the ability to shoot and pass at the ACC level, and Wiggins, who is a versatile playmaker and thrives playing alongside the wing.

The Tigers also remain heavily involved with Orlando (Fla.) four-star forward Ven-Allen Lubin.

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Priority Clemson target on campus for official visit this weekend

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.

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