The Merriam-Webster’s definition of inevitable is “incapable of being avoided or evaded.” That’s the same definition of the Clemson Tigers under head coach Brad Brownell.
If you blink, you’ll miss them. Clemson is one of the most underrated teams in college basketball and they’re currently sitting second in the highly competitive Atlantic Coast Conference. They’re also listed as one of the top 25 teams in the country.
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— Clemson Basketball (@ClemsonMBB) February 9, 2026
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Brownell’s approach this season is different compared to his past triumphs. He’s built this team through elite transfer portal talent.
Junior forward Carter Welling‘s arrival from Utah Valley, senior guard Jestin Porter relocating from Middle Tennessee and senior forward Nick Davidson‘s signing from Nevada headline a loaded transfer class. But one surprising move turned heads for Clemson.
RJ Godfrey spent his first two collegiate years in that bright Clemson orange, where he started 1 game out of the 69 he appeared in. He experienced highs and lows, which is expected for an underclassman just beginning his journey.
After his sophomore year Godfrey, a Georgia native, decided to head home to join the Bulldogs. Playing for Georgia was an eye-opening experience for Godfrey but it wasn’t the homecoming he thought it’d be.
“I felt some, I want to say conviction about leaving Clemson,” said the junior guard.
After helping lead Georgia back to the NCAA tournament for the first time in a decade, Godfrey decided to return to his true home: Clemson.
His reunion with Brownell and the new-look Tigers is the equivalent to Thanos putting the last infinity stone into his gauntlet. Now the senior guard is helping lead this team to the ACC tournament as well as March. The product is undeniable as seen by Clemson’s charismatic play this season.
Clemson has quietly propelled themselves into the national conversation, and they haven’t boasted about being there. They’ve just put more work in.
Some of their signature wins have come off the strength of their transfer portal talent, highlighted by Godfrey’s return to Georgia where he posted 12 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists in an overtime thriller. They also bested SMU, then ranked 24th nationally, as Nick Davidson provided a huge spark off the bench with 9 points and 4 rebounds.
What makes this team different than years past is the leadership from multiple different facets. Most of these transfers come from different backgrounds, schools and circumstances. The role one played at one program differs from another player.
To come to Clemson and piece things together like the Tigers have is a testament to Brownell’s system and experience.
As the conference tournament creeps around, Clemson will have to keep its foot on the gas. The ACC is stacked, and with many teams expected to make the NCAA tournament, there’s a major edge to be gained by winning the conference.
It doesn’t always look flashy. It’s rarely loud. But every few years, Clemson finds itself right back in the mix. Maybe that’s not a coincidence anymore. Maybe it’s just Brad Brownell being Brad Brownell.
The transfer portal changed the way this team was built, but it hasn’t changed the standard. Clemson is more than just a good story, they’ll be a problem for the ACC and anybody across from them in March.
