CLEMSON
Clemson men’s basketball coach Brad Brownell briefed the media on Wednesday on his team’s offseason progress. The Tigers will be going to Italy for a tour later this summer, and they are dealing with injuries to key three players.
Key notes from Brownell
- Ace Buckner had shoulder surgery and is out for the summer.
- Last year’s team showed the power of a team, fit well together, cared about each other, showed you can put together a group quickly and if they are willing to play for a higher cause, can have success.
- This is a challenging offseason because of the new staff, and he doesn’t have older players who came up through program, and Buckner, Welling and Foster are out with injuries.
- They tried to play faster last season because of Foster, that what he does well, and will try to do same this season with Foster back healthy.
- Harris Reynolds is off to a good start, he’s getting a lot of reps because of injuries to others, he’s a good listener and good level of concentration, excited about him.
- Certa has been great, super excited to be here, likes what he brings from an experience standpoint and a confidence standpoint, work ethic is great.
- Stevens is doing well with his development, he’s not afraid at all, needs to add some strength, he has good hands, eager to prove he belongs.
- Too early to tell on when Welling will be able to return, he’s doing very well, no setbacks, he’s still in early stages, no more in two to three months, maybe ready by December or January.
- Foster is running and shooting, running in a straight line, progressing and is on schedule, don’t know if he’ll be able to play when they go to Italy.
- They are not near the top when it comes to spending on players, but they have enough to be competitive. It’s going to always be a challenge, not always easy to come up with it. They’ve done a good job finding good players who fit and come to Clemson for the right reasons.
- Proud of the way his guys are competing this offseason and getting themselves ready for the season, they have been very dedicated this summer in the weight room and the gym.
- Close to completing the schedule, still needs two more games.
- Hope to have more shooters on the floor this season, and have the lanes open so the guards can find room to drive to the basket.
- Certa will give them the type of deep shooting threat they had with Girard, he’s not shy, doesn’t lack for confidence in his outside shooting.