Clemson basketball coach Brad Brownell is working to close out his 2025 recruiting class with a big, and over the weekend he hosted 6-8 Chase Thompson of Alexandria, MN. Thompson is also the quarterback of his football team, and he’s quite good at that as well. But basketball is his plan moving forward, and Clemson is in his final two.
“Got to watch practice today (Sunday). It was super competitive,” Thompson said. “Hung out with the guys as well. Fit in really nicely. Got to see Ian (Schieffelin). We play the same position, just kind of see where I fit in. Playing style fits really well. Photo shoot went well. Got to meet Dabo (Swinney) as well. Hung out with him. Played a game of P-I-G with him. That was awesome. I don’t know if I should tell you this, but he actually beat me. He’s pretty good.”
Thompson added that he also met Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik and kiddingly told him he was coming for his job.
From watching practice, Thompson could tell that the offense Brownell deploys would fit him perfectly.
“A lot of sets, a lot of motion goes through their fours, their fives,” Thompson said. “A lot of sealing, a lot of pick and popping as well. That’s exactly what I do.”
The Tigers, of course, became a national name last March with their run to the Elite Eight. That success did grab Thompson’s attention.
“For sure, recent success opened my eyes,” Thompson said. “But looking forward as well, they recruit high school guys just as much as they recruit transfer guys, so being able to play maybe as a freshman, being able to contribute, that’s like one of my main goals. Elite Eight, that’s in the past, just looking forward, they are going to continue that success for sure.”
Thompson has completed his official visits and has his decision down to a nearby Big Ten program and Clemson.
“Right now, I’m down to Iowa and Clemson and the next week or so I’ll make my decision,” Thompson said. “I’m going to sit down with my parents and go over the pros and cons of each school. It’s going to be my decision, but they are helping me through this process as well.”
Thompson said distance from home is not a factor as he has a brother who plays at Stetson and his parents fly down to watch him all the time.